REVIEW: Fallfiftyfeet – Counterfeit Recollections [2025]
Artist: Fallfiftyfeet
Album: Counterfeit Recollections
Every once in a while, we—as listeners—are treated to a record that refuses to stay pigeonholed in a single genre. Whether its artists like Kaonashi that oscillate whimsically between mathcore, emo and post-hardcore, The Callous Daoboys who do the same with mathcore and outright metalcore or Dying Fetus that manage to capture elements of hardcore, death metal, brutal slamming death metal in…whatever it is that they do. These bands just defy convention, and pretty soon you’ll find Fallfiftyfeet in that category as well. Counterfeit Recollections, the band’s sophomore full length record, is an eclectic blend of blistering metalcore, emotive hardcore and something from the alternative spectrum that I just can’t quite seem to put my finger on. With moments of heaviness that bring about pure sonic decimation that segue brilliantly into catchy choruses, moments of unsettling calm or riveting, energetic salvos of riff after riff, Fallfiftyfeet springboard off of the success of Twisted World Perspective into something more robust, mature and diverse—giving metalcore an intriguing, addictive chimera that defies conventional genre classification in the same way it will absolutely defy to leave your recently played queue.
Counterfeit Recollections is a sprawling sonic soundscape that captures frenzied chaotic hardcore in the same breath that it touches on ethereal, uncanny post-rock and alternative. On one hand, songs like “Obituaries” and “Purgatory Blues” see break-neck percussion running rampant, underscoring gargantuan riffs and spastic, dissonant chords that wax and wane into Goliath breakdowns. These moments of unbridled sonic fury are juxtaposed against songs like the record’s title track, and “Disarrangement” which follows immediately thereafter. These songs—especially the former—boast an almost melancholic atmosphere uplifted by touches of driving metalcore whimsy. Here, a haunting, almost grungy introduction and chorus ebb and flow out of segments that aren’t quite heavy in the conventional sense as they feel heavy emotionally, wherein trudging guitars and subtle percussion work beautifully with a dynamic vocal approach to sag the listener’s consciousness across the bow. Songs like “Counterfeit Recollections” simultaneously make the listener feel heavy and light—ethereal but dejected—which matches wonderfully with Fallfiftyfeet’s ability to capture so many different musical styles and flourishes without feeling forced or scattered. Between these songs, works like “Best Revenge” and “Horror Tropes” dominate, feeling a solid and careful blend of the band’s proclivity towards raunchy aggression and curious, catchy stylings.
Just as the band is instrumentally multifaceted, such is their vocal approach. While the harsh belting and monstrous gang chant that defines introductory cut “Obituaries” dominate as an early—and prominent—stand-out moment, “Purgatory Blues,” alongside “The Kingsport Curse” serve as other stellar examples of Fallfiftyfeet utilizing a range of riveting screams and yells scattered across a chaotic and ever-changing soundscape to near-perfection. The listener’s attention will also be drawn to moments like those on the record’s title track—a sullen introduction that builds into a gloomy song that toggles distracted, distant singing on-and-off with a raw, hefty mid-range yell. Fallfiftyfeet’s vocal element is focused and tight on just about every song—even when it’s meant to feel anything but. Especially as the heavier tracks begin to pick up in the back half of Counterfeit Recollections, the group’s vocal dynamism begins to shine even brighter, adding depth, nuance and intensity to an already strong instrumental backdrop.
Counterfeit Recollections is a record that defies restriction by conventional genre norms. Thoroughly fun while still thought provoking, immersive and periodically heavy as all Hell, Fallfiftyfeet bring forth an experience that sets the bar tediously high for their future work while still making me—and just about anyone else interested in heavy music—excited for whatever their next venture may hold.
8/10
For Fans Of: Every Time I Die, Kaonashi, The Callous Daoboys
By: Connor Welsh
