Rise and Fall

"Into Oblivion"

RISE AND FALL -THE BAND BIO

Started out in the summer of 2002 as a side project between members of two of Belgium’s finest bands, Kingpin and The Deal, RISE AND FALL quickly turned into a fulltime band after the demise of this last band. Dealing with a bunch of line-up changes and getting some ad interim help from Dead Stop and Liar members on their tour RISE AND FALL sorted their shit out and the line up of Cedric, Vince, Bjorn and Murph recorded their debut album "Hellmouth" in April 2004. It was released a few months later by JTTP Records from Germany on CD and Anger Management Records from Belgium handled the vinyl. In April 2005, "Hellmouth" was also released in the US, with a few bonus tracks on the SA Mob label from Philly.

After a European tour in August 2004, which they booked themselves and another one with 100 Demons in October 2004 RISE AND FALL kept on playing out as much as possible, and started writing songs for their next album.

Unfortunately original drummer Murph quit the band in March 2005, so in the midst of writing their new record and with a lot of shows booked they had to look for a new drummer. Luckily they found JP, who'd already filled in on the 100 Demons tour, who was eager to join the band.

"Into Oblivion", RISE AND FALL's second album has been recorded in July 2005, at good old CCR Studios in Zulte, Belgium after and mixed by Kurt Ballou (Converge) at the God City Studios.

RISE AND FALL's sound can be described as PUNKMETAL. It's raw and intense, but with a lot of heart. A combination of Clevo and New York hardcore (Ringworm, Integrity, Cro-Mags, Leeway) and their love for bands like Black Sabbath, Entombed, Motorhead, Discharge and Celtic Frost.

To actually capture the overwhelming energy of this band, listening to their record just won't do. You'll have to catch them performing a live set, preferably on the first row. If you're lucky enough not to get beaten to pulp by a moshing crowd, you'll definitely get crushed by their wall of sound.

RISE AND FALL has toured and played with bands as varied as Converge, Nine, 100 Demons, Justice, Mental, Ringworm, Integrity, Sworn Enemy, No Turning Back, Restless Youth, Dead Stop, Violent Minds, E-Town Concrete and many more. In support of their new album on REFLECTIONS RECORDS the band will be touring extensively throughout the rest 2005 among other with label mates BLACKLISTED.

The best about reviewing a new band, is that you have no expectations none what so ever. And this review is my introduction to Rise and Fall – a great hardcore band from Belgium, which originally started out as a side project. But soon they proved themselves worth of living. And with this album “Into Oblivion” -their second release, Rise and Fall is a band worth of attention. So far they have certainly caught my attention.

Rise and Fall is one of many great hardcore bands on the Dutch label Reflections Records, which are going to celebrate their 10 year anniversary soon.  The label business is one of the most competitive around, so staying afloat after 10 years, means that you have made some good business wise decisions in the past. And signing Rise and Fall undoubtedly is one of them.

Rise and Fall is in many ways a traditional hardcore band, with their shredding guitars and the harsh vocal. But Rise and Fall is more than that. Similar bands are Ringworm, Cro-Mags and Agnostic Front. They are quite melodic and a band with something on their mind. I like it when a band has something to say – something important and meaningful that is. Anyone can sing about praising the horned one or being totally gore, but it tend to be a little more interesting if the lyrics are deeper than that. More bands should be like that, and make lyrics that basically mean something. I will not use this review on an in-depth analysis of the lyrics on this fine release, but make sure you know that they have a deeper meaning and could make a difference to you. And now it’s up to you to decide if you trust me or not. And if you do, get your damn personal copy of “Into Oblivion” a.s.a.p!

“Into Oblivion” was released on December 13^th and is available at: http://shop.reflectionsrecords.com/store/customer/home.php

Rise and Fall has been touring intensely since mid-November with bands such as Omission, Restless Youth, Buried Inside and Severance. Unfortunately not in Scandinavia, but they will launch a new tour in March with Doomriders and November Coming Fire. Hopefully they will hit Scandinavia this time, so that we’re able to experience them live.

More info on the band can be found at http://www.reflectionsrecords.com/records/index.php?pid=3&id=59 and http://www.riseandfall.org/

Reviewed by www.metal-coven.dk