Fire from the Sky is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Shadows Fall. It was released on May 15, 2012. The band released the title track as the first single on March 28, 2012,[11] and the opening track, "The Unknown", as the second single on May 2, as well as a lyric video for the song.[12] About a week later, on May 10, the official music video for "The Unknown" was released through Vevo.[13] It features the band playing in an abandoned warehouse. The album debuted at #38 on the Billboard 200, and at #85 in Canada.
| Fire from the Sky | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 15, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | Zing Recording Studios (Westfield, Massachusetts); Wicked Good Recording Studios | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 41:42 | |||
| Label | Razor & Tie | |||
| Producer | Adam Dutkiewicz,[1] Shadows Fall | |||
| Shadows Fall chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Fire from the Sky | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| About.com |   [3] |
| Allmusic |  [4] |
| Alternative Press | [5] |
| Decibel |   [6] |
| Metal Injection | [7] |
| Outburn Magazine | |
| The Phoenix | [2] |
| Revolver | [8] |
| The NewReview | [9] |
| Thrash Magazine | [10] |
Lyrical themes
editThemes explored in Fire from the Sky include the apocalypse, chaos, doomsday, and the supposed events that may occur at the end of 2012, the end of the Mayan calendar.[14] Brian Fair made the following comment:
Fire From the Sky is not a concept album by any means, but a few common themes do link these songs together. These days, the world seems to be spiraling out of control into a frantic state of confusion, corruption and chaos. It's as if we are living under the shadow of an impending apocalypse. The songs on this album were inspired by this chaos and the struggle to find answers in these dark days.[15]
Song meanings
editThe song "The Unknown" is about "the temptation to give into depression instead of fighting it,"[16][17] and is written from the viewpoint of someone who ultimately succumbed to the pressure.[18] "Divide and Conquer" talks about division between people, whether in politics or among friends, and how this division makes it harder to sustain things and come together as one.[17] The only resolution is to work together towards a better future. "Weight of the World" deals with doomsday and the end of the world approaching.[18] It also deals with the rapid growth of technology and concerns of technological singularity.
"Nothing Remains," a '70s rock influenced tune, is about the heroes we have lost that we looked up to.[19] "Fire from the Sky," reminiscent of early '90s death metal such as Morbid Angel, tells the story of a star going supernova and devouring planets. "Save Your Soul" deals with hanging onto unresolved problems. Becoming stuck in the past can eat away at someone, and "letting go" is often easier said than done.
"Blind Faith" is a political song, and addresses "society giving up too much control to the ruling elite",[16] and blindly following in the vein of paternalism.[20] The track "Lost Within" is about being inspired by a person or movement, and then later realizing this idealism is false. In other words, some role models become internalized and selfish, and sell out or develop materialistic motives. "Walk the Edge" is largely influenced by '80s glam metal, and contains a few riffs originally from the Retribution sessions. The song is about opiate addiction and the thin line between control and overdose.[16] For "The Wasteland," Fair was inspired by one of his favorite poems, The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot.[20] He also drew influence from the Book of Revelation to create an apocalyptic theme.
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Shadows Fall
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Unknown" | 4:54 |
| 2. | "Divide and Conquer" | 3:05 |
| 3. | "Weight of the World" | 3:55 |
| 4. | "Nothing Remains" | 3:20 |
| 5. | "Fire from the Sky" | 4:55 |
| 6. | "Save Your Soul" | 3:53 |
| 7. | "Blind Faith" | 6:27 |
| 8. | "Lost Within" | 3:31 |
| 9. | "Walk the Edge" | 3:32 |
| 10. | "The Wasteland" | 4:05 |
| Total length: | 41:42 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Eternal Life" | 3:55 |
| 12. | "A Death Worth Dying" | 3:22 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | "The Light That Blinds" (Live) | 4:24 |
| 12. | "Failure of the Devout" (Live) | 5:22 |
Personnel
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References
edit- ^ "Shadows Fall: New Song Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
- ^ a b Christopher, Michael (May 22, 2012). "Shadows Fall | Fire From The Sky". The Phoenix. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
- ^ Bowar, Chad. "Shadows Fall - Fire From The Sky Review". About.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ Jurek, Thom. "Fire from the Sky - Shadows Fall". AllMusic. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
- ^ Slessor, Dan (June 2012). "Shadows Fall Fire From The Sky". Alternative Press. Vol. 287. p. 84.
- ^ Decibel. June 2012 edition.
- ^ Zalucky, James (May 15, 2012). "Album Review: Shadows Fall Fire From the Sky". Metal Injection. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ Geist, Brandon (April 30, 2012). "Review: Shadows Fall – Fire From the Sky". Revolver. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ Launderville, Hobbes (April 24, 2012). "Shadows Fall – Fire From the Sky". The NewReview. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ "Shadows Fall 'Fire From The Sky'". Thrash Magazine. May 8, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ Ramirez, Carlos (March 29, 2012). "Shadows Fall, 'Fire From the Sky': Exclusive Online Song Premiere". Noisecreep. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ "Shadows Fall Premiere 'The Unknown' Lyric Video". PureVolume.com. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ "Shadows Fall Release 'The Unknown' Music Video". Guitar World. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ^ Ramanand, Liz (May 1, 2012). "Shadows Fall Frontman Brian Fair Talks New Album 'Fire From The Sky' More". Loudwire. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "Shadows Fall: 'Fire From The Sky' Track Listing Revealed" Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Shadows Fall: About". Facebook. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ a b "Album Review: Shadows Fall - Fire From the Sky" Archived 2012-05-16 at the Wayback Machine. Sedatephobia Magazine. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ a b "Shadows Fall Fire From The Sky Track By Track Pt. 1". Metal Injection. May 7, 2012. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ "Shadows Fall Fire From The Sky Track By Track Pt. 2". Metal Injection. May 10, 2012. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
- ^ a b "Shadows Fall Fire From The Sky Track By Track Pt. 3". Metal Injection. May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2012.