FALLUJAH // Everything You Need To Know About Death Metal’s Titans

Last week everyone’s favourite, Force-sensitive metalcore troupe Killswitch Engage announced their return to Australian soil, with a string of live shows across our country (and the lands of our Kiwi brethren) slated for March next year.

However, the true X-factor on the bill, is the inclusion of San Francisco death metallers Fallujah. They’ll be on their first ever trip to our Great Southern Land and bringing their patented blend of ‘atmospheric death metal’ along for the ride. So in order for Killswitch fans to receive these Bay Area riff lords in true Aussie style, Hysteria is here to give you the low-down on Fallujah, and get your neck prepped for some serious future headbanging.

THE SKINNY: PERSONNEL

Formed from a bunch of musically inclined high-school mates in 2007, Fallujah are a five-piece death metal outfit from San Francisco, California. Long-time members Alex Hoffman (vocals and programming) and Scott Carstairs (guitar) have represented the band’s core since their early days, with drummer Andrew Baird joining the group shortly after their inception, along with bassist Rob Morey and guitarist Brian James rounding out the line-up after a slew of changes over the last decade.

ATMOSPHERIC DEATH METAL?

Yep, it’s definitely a thing. Now you’re probably thinking that you need a new sub-genre to get acquainted with like you need another hole in your noggin, but trust us: ‘crab-core’ this is not. Starting out, Fallujah were peddling a sound that hovered around stock-standard deathcore, but they also weren’t afraid to mix it up with some blackened touches and instrumental wanderings. Think of contemporaries like The Faceless and Fleshgod Apocalypse and you’d be on the right track. With time and experience eventually came maturation, which saw Fallujah abandon the need for breakdowns, and instead free themselves up for exploration of lush reverb and synthesizer sounds (hence the ‘atmospheric’ modifier).

DREAM LESS, RIFF MORE

After the 2014 release of their critically-acclaimed album The Flesh Prevails, Fallujah were swiftly and deservedly propelled into the metal scene spotlight, with accolades from across the industry and touring spots with metal heavyweights like Morbid Angel, Dying Fetus and our very own Thy Art Is Murder. Now in 2016, their latest record Dreamless and first for new label Nuclear Blast, finds Fallujah dealing in hard-hitting, animalistic death metal with a ‘melting pot’ approach that incorporates outside elements ranging from progressive rock, black metal, orchestral arrangements, tech-death and European style melo-death. Expect towering riffs, cacophonous drum barrages and lofty melodies that effortlessly float between ethereal and ecstatic.

YEAH THAT’S COOL, BUT CAN THEY PULL IT OFF LIVE?

Absolutely, but don’t just take our word for it. Buy a ticket, chuck some windmills, throw your horns up and get ready to willingly have your soul crushed by a veritable onslaught of riff-fury.

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Select Touring and Blue Murder present:

INCARNATE DOWN UNDER 2017

Killswitch Engage + Fallujah 2017 Australian Tour

WEDNESDAY 1 MARCH – POWER STATION, AUCKLAND (18+)

FRIDAY 3 MARCH – ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY (LIC/AA)

SATURDAY 4 MARCH – EATONS HILL, BRISBANE (LIC/AA)

TUESDAY 7 MARCH – 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE (18+)

WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH – METRO CITY, PERTH (18+)

Tickets on sale now. Check selecttouring.com.au for more details.