Fallujah – Xenotaph
Release Date: 13th June 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast
Bandcamp
Genre: Technical Death Metal
FFO: Rivers of Nihil, Allegaeon, First Fragment.
Review By: Eric Wilt
Fallujah needs no introduction. They’ve been carving out their own path since releasing their first demo in 2009. While they’re firmly rooted in the technical/progressive metal aesthetic, it’s hard to find another band in either genre that does exactly what they do when they do what they do so well. From their technical aggression to their melodic sensibilities to their passages of haunting beauty, Fallujah keeps their songs dynamic and engaging, never giving the listener time to get bored or distracted.
In this, Xenotaph is no exception. Of note are songs like The Crystalline Veil, which proves that Fallujah’s vocal attack is strongest when their menacing growled vocals are juxtaposed with their expressive clean vocals. The light and dark of the vocal interplay further accents the aggression and beauty woven into their riffs. Another stand out track is Kaleidoscopic Waves, which has some of their more furious fretwork, as well as a definite Tool influence in the softer passages. The final track on the album, which is the title track, is perhaps made up of the heaviest sections on the album, but even still, Fallujah uses a significant portion of the seven minutes and thirty seconds of the song to transition to more mellow and melodic parts.
Xenotaph is a testament to Fallujah’s mastery of contrast and complexity, effortlessly balancing ferocity with finesse. The album showcases a band confident enough to push boundaries within their technical and progressive framework while staying true to their unique voice. For fans of intricate, emotionally charged metal that refuses to settle for predictability, Xenotaph delivers a captivating journey through darkness and light — a fitting chapter in Fallujah’s ever-evolving legacy.
(4.5 / 5)
