To Those Left Behind Explained

To Those Left Behind
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Blessthefall
Cover:	tothoseleftbehind.jpg
Released:	September 18, 2015
Genre:	Metalcore
Length:	42:02
Label:	Fearless
Producer:	Joey Sturgis
Prev Title:	Hollow Bodies
Prev Year:	2013
Next Title:	Hard Feelings
Next Year:	2018

To Those Left Behind is the fifth studio album by American metalcore band Blessthefall. The album was released on September 18, 2015, through Fearless Records and was produced by Joey Sturgis. It is their last album to be released on this label before the band signed to Rise Records in 2018. The first single, "Up in Flames" was released on July 9, 2015, while the band was on Vans Warped Tour 2015.

Background

The band announced in April that they had entered the studio to work with Joey Sturgis for their fifth album.^[1] In June, while on Warped Tour 2015, they gave a September 18 release date through Fearless Records. Of the album, frontman Beau Bokan said, "As a band we are constantly trying to outdo ourselves and take a step forward with each record. With this new album we've taken a giant fucking leap forward and are at our absolute best as musicians and song writers. We're looking forward to seeing where this album will take us."^[2] It was announced that if you buy the album from the Merchnow site you will receive a bonus track of the acoustic version of "Condition // Comatose" along with the album.^[3]

Critical reception

The album has been met with positive reviews. Critics gave praise for the album's technical aspects, but noted how the album was predictable and nothing new. In a review for Alternative Press Tyler Davidson writes, "...blessthefall know exactly how to double down on each of those elements, crystallizing the dichotomy in a way that simultaneously serves the genre while still feeling new enough to make a lasting impression."^[4] In a more mixed review, Taylor Weston for HM Magazine wrote, "Kudos to them for making sure this latest release didn't enter into the rut of metalcore. It's not a life-changing release, but it's a steady progression of bettering their work that has them around more than a decade after they started."^[5] A more favorable review from Outburn, Nathaniel Lay stated, "This is a prime example of metalcore".^[6]

The album was included at number 39 on Rock Sounds top 50 releases of 2015 list.^[7]

Personnel

Blessthefall^[8]

• Eric Lambert – lead guitar, backing clean vocals
• Matt Traynor – drums, percussion
• Jared Warth – unclean vocals, bass guitar
• Beau Bokan – clean vocals
• Elliott Gruenberg – rhythm guitar, additional unclean vocals on track 2

Production

• Joey Sturgis – producer, engineer, mastering, vocal editing, vocal engineer
• Nick Matzkows – editing, engineer, vocal editing, vocal engineer, background vocals
• Erik Ron – vocal editing, vocal engineer, vocal producer
• Joel Wanasek – mixing assistant
• Josh Parpowicz – assistant
• Anthony Reeder – engineer
• Florian Mihr – art direction, layout
• Karl Pfeiffer – photography

Additional musiciansBackground vocals –

• Josh Buckner
• Matt Chambers
• Chris Koo
• Alex Kuzmanovic
• Kristin Leanne
• Michael Martenson
• Jacob Matzkows
• Randy McClaughry
• Mark Peromm

References

Citations

Sources

• Bird. Ryan. Top 50 Releases of the Year. Rock Sound. January 2016. 208. Freeway Press Inc.. London. 1465-0185.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sharp. Tyler . Blessthefal begin recording new album with Joey Sturgis. Alternative Press. October 1, 2015.
2. Web site: Sharp. Tyler. Blessthefall to release new album "To Those Left Behind" in September. Alternative Press. October 1, 2015.
3. Web site: blessthefall . Blessthefall.merchnow.com . December 15, 2017.
4. Web site: Davidson. Tyler. blessthefall - To Those Left Behind. Alternative Press. October 1, 2015.
5. Web site: Weston. Taylor. Blessthefall - To Those Left Behind Review. HM Magazine. October 1, 2015.
6. 55 . Nathaniel . Lay . Blessthefall - To Those Left Behind . . 81 . 1542-1309 . October 11, 2015 . October 1, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151120125225/http://www.outburn.com/OUTBURN_81_Bring_Me_the_Horizon_p/outburn81.htm . November 20, 2015 .
7. Bird, ed. 2016, p. 23
8. Web site: To Those Left Behind Credits. All Music. October 1, 2015.
9. Web site: blessthefall . Billboard . December 15, 2017.
10. Web site: blessthefall Chart History . Billboard . December 15, 2017.
11. Web site: blessthefall Chart History . Billboard . December 15, 2017.
12. Web site: blessthefall Chart History . Billboard . December 15, 2017.
13. Web site: blessthefall Chart History . Billboard . December 15, 2017.
14. Web site: ARIA Albums: Lana Del Rey 'Honeymoon' Tops Australian Chart. Noise11. Ryan. Gavin. September 26, 2015. September 26, 2015.