Review: If not for me - Where the Light Begins to Fade

Artist: If Not For Me
Album: Where the Light Begins to Fade
Label: InVogue Records

Pennsylvania’s If Not For Me have not come quietly onto the scene. In fact, even when they were still entirely independent, they managed to reach #53 on the Top Current Hard Rock albums chart with their sophomore release, Eulogy. However, they began to find even more of a footing with the release of their hit single, “Feel Me Now” which has now amassed over 13 million streams across all streaming platforms. They spent several weeks on Sirius XM Octane’s “Biguns Countdown,” peaking at #6 and it’s companion album, Everything You Wanted peaked at #6 on the Current Hard Rock albums chart, as well! They’ve built an impressive touring history, opening for the likes of The Funeral Portrait, Memphis May Fire and several festival appearances. They also just recently wrapped up their first proper headline tour with support from Windwaker and Colorblind. They wasted no time getting back into the studio after the release of Everything You Wanted, releasing “Say It to My Face,” which features Left to Suffer’s Taylor Barber, roughly 7 months later in October. This hard-hitting track spent several weeks in rotation on Octane, hitting #7 on the Biguns countdown. But in June 0f 2026, they finally announced the release of their highly-anticipated studio album, Where the Light Begins to Fade.

The album opens up with “Retrograde,” which also spent some serious time in rotation on Octane. The track starts off slow and ethereal before exploding into a chorus that, quite honestly, has remained stuck in my head since I first heard it. This track grips you and doesn’t let go from beginning to end. It’s a song about the grief that comes with loss and this song is full of surprises. Breakdowns, trap beats and soaring vocals are all right here waiting. The star of the show in this track is drummer Cody Frain, whose playing commands the listeners attention and almost overpowers the rest of the band.

There are some amazing features on this album and the first of those comes from Trevor Borg of Wind Walkers, who the band is heading out on tour with this Fall on their headlining “I Don’t Belong Here” tour. Both vocalists have a unique sound to them, commanding a higher register, emotion and breath control that is near second to none. There are a lot of similarities to their vocal styles but it’s undeniable where each of them is within this track. This song is about the struggle of escaping a toxic relationship, due to the addictive control it has over you.

“Novocaine,” which features Josh Mowery of labelmates Catch Your Breath. This track is more on the emotional track, ballad-like and as lyrically impactful as it is on a sonic level. It’s about the loss experienced as a result of someone not letting the other person in. If Not For Me and Catch Your Breath share a beautiful history together and hearing them together on a track like this will undoubtedly move the listener to tears. Unique vocals that leave every bit of what they have in that vocal booth, this is a highlight of the album for sure.

Have you ever had someone who praises you in public but prays for your downfall in private? We all have experienced this and, luckily, we have “Prey For Me,” as a way to show that Glover relates to this feeling. There are some psuedo nu-metal elements to the guitars in this track, which really make it stand out. The breakdown callout of “You want a front row when I’m sinking, oh!” is probably one of my favorites in recent memories.

While there are a lot of songs that explore questioning one’s beliefs, especially from a religious standpoint. However, the underrated “Broken Throne” on this album might be, quite frankly, one of the best examples of this. While there’s not much of this track that breaks new ground, I have to applaud the dichotomy of light vs dark within both the lyrics and the music. Easily one of the heaviest moments of the album is within the bridge of this song, but it also has some of the airiest and lightest vocal melodies.

It cannot be stated enough how cinematic that If Not For Me’s music can feel and I don’t think there has been a better example of that than “Close to Closure.” Fittingly, this closes the album and features every element that we’ve come to love about this album. Beyond the soaring quality of the vocal and, additionally, the vocal runs in this track, there are some symphonic elements and a huge atmospheric build. It perfectly encompasses what this album seeks to bring forth sonically.

Overall, If Not For Me continue to prove themselves metalcore royalty time and time again. Maybe they’re not quite on the level of August Burns Red, Killswitch Engage, etc but they are well on their way. When it comes time to pass that torch, I have no doubt that they’ll be next in line. Where the Light Begins to Fade is more than an album, it is a statement against facing your inner demons and coming out laughing on the other side. Through pain and struggle, perseverance has shown that they aren’t going anywhere any time soon. Check out a few tracks below, pick up your copy today and be sure to catch them on the “I Don’t Belong Here” tour which kicks off next month!

Buy/Stream Where the Light Begins to Fade

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