Xenotaph

4.25

PICKMETER

4.20

HMB

4.24

CRITICS

band:

Fallujah

release date: Jun 13, 2025

label: Nuclear Blast Records

type: Full-length

HMB´S REVIEW

There are records you don't just listen to — you sense them.

When I heard that Fallujah was releasing a new album, something inside me already anticipated that Xenotaph wouldn’t be just another chapter in the band’s history, but a work destined to stake its claim in the realm of technical and progressive death metal. cosmic and unforgiving voyage.

The Journey Through Xenotaph

Released on June 13, 2025, via Nuclear Blast, Xenotaph is the band’s sixth record and carries a sonic ambition that permeates every note. Early previews such as 'Kaleidoscopic Waves', 'Labyrinth of Stone', and 'Step Through the Portal and Breathe' already hinted at its magnitude, serving as a prelude to a cosmic and unforgiving voyage.

First Impact: Chaos and Calm in One Flow

From the first riff to the final moments, I experienced a rollercoaster of extreme density and carefully crafted atmospheric spaces. Carstairs’ riffs are architectural: as precise as they are intricate, yet never self-indulgent. The progression in structure, with time signatures that pulse between tension and introspection, reinforces the notion that Xenotaph isn’t just a technical album. It’s a living organism. Some tracks follow the brutal death metal playbook, while others open doors to an almost cinematic ambiance.

Contrasting Voices: From the Abyss to the Expanse

Kyle Schaefer reveals his most dynamic performance to date. He transitions gracefully between harsh gutturals and clean tones, evoking sensations that border on the transcendent, yet never betraying the genre’s aggressive roots. This vocal interplay enriches the sonic path, maintaining emotional tension throughout, as if we’re exploring an alien tomb echoing with ethereal sounds.

Group Cohesion and Structured Evolution

There’s something almost magical about listening to Xenotaph, the synergy of the current lineup (Kyle, Scott, Sam Mooradian, Evan Brewer, and Kevin Alexander) has elevated the band’s sound to new heights. The production, handled by Dave Otero, delivers a sound that’s both raw and crystalline. It’s not just technique layered over more technique: there’s depth and clarity, a balance between instrumental aggression and the presence of silent space.

Accessibility Without Losing Identity

What stands out is how Xenotaph manages to engage even listeners who may be new to Fallujah. With a runtime of about 42 minutes, the album sidesteps the fatigue that often accompanies technical metal, offering intensity without overwhelming the senses. It's a dense record, rich in layers, but crafted in a way that feels approachable, leaving you disoriented in the best way, and eager to dive back in.

Final Verdict

To me, this is the pinnacle of Fallujah’s journey so far. Xenotaph sounds like an intergalactic tapestry woven with surgical precision: orchestrated brutality, contagious emotion, refined technique, and a sci-fi sense of journey permeating every second. This is an album that deeply understands where technical and progressive metal can meet and transcend. If you're looking for a watershed moment within the genre, this is the experience: a starship whose destination is the brutal beauty of the unknown.

Review by Troadie - HMB´s Staff