Maximum Metal Rating Legend



Faded Hope All That Ever Was - All That Never Will Be Company: Indy Release: 2008 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: Strutter

Solid and well crafted

Echoing sounds of Staind, Disturbed and a Three Doors Down that skipped an anger management class, is Ohio's own Faded Hope, and their debut cd, "All That Ever Was - All That Never Will Be" belies their name as the listener will have aspirations that there is still life bleeding into the rock/alternative scene.

Formed in 2005, in Wooster, Ohio, the band is comprised of Mike Morehouse--vocals and guitar, Brian Crider--lead guitar, Mitch Deitrich--drums, and Shane Gurr--bass. Musically the band is far more mature than one would expect given that their median age is 24. The six tracks that make up "All That Ever Was - All That Never Will Be" are each in their own right solid and well crafted. Morehouse is a powerful vocalist already with a voice that has a depth and timbe to it that gives him an easy range of movement that if cultivated could find a prominent place as the next intonation of mainstream alternative rock. He is at his best when delivering the songs unadulterated vs. dropping into screamcore which happens occasionally throughout the cd. Backed by a powerful trio of bass, guitars and drums, the wall of sound is fresh and unpolluted and thankfully not overplayed.

Lyrically, the songs on "All That Ever Was - All That Never Will Be" dip a bit too often into the sophomoric "you did me wrong/I hate you" category, but the execution is so superior that the resulting balance is right on target. Most notable is Track 4, "Trash" produced by Jon Epstein of Last Stone Cast fame, which is the cd's crowning glory and as close to ideal as one could hope for in an alternative anthem.

In short, Faded Hope have produced a noteworthy cd that begs the question "what are they going to do next?" and how soon can I hear it.