Guest Blogger: Evan P1

Memphis May Fire is a metal or post-hardcore band that is known for their songs getting progressively heavier as they release new albums. They started out as a band closer to rock or alternative and began incorporating screams and more melodic, aggressive guitar work in their albums with “Sleepwalking” in 2008 and “The Hollow” in 2010. They recently released their album “The Challenger” adding more energy and electronic sounds to their songs, as well as getting heavier throughout the album. Their music and lyrics have invoked great emotion, whether it’s anger towards people not necessarily mentioned in the songs, like in “Prove Me Right” on The Challenger, “Where were you when they had no faith in us? Where were you when they shut us out? It's funny you show up now & if it fell apart I know that you'd be nowhere to be found.” They also show feelings in general about the world and their own feelings on it, such as in ‘Generation: HATE” speaking about the current generation: “Could it be this is just an escape from all your insecurities? Could it be you're deepest secret is you wish that you were me? Tell me what is it with this love to hate?” Memphis May Fire have been compared to bands such as Of Mice and Men and Underoath, bands that make similar music that is heavy but incorporates regular rock sound and electronic, modern metal sounds. They are differentiated by the fact that they’re heavier and incorporate more screaming or breakdowns than bands in a similar metalcore genre. One critic gave “The Challenger” a 7.5/10, another gave it a 4/5. I happen to agree more with the 4/5, I personally liked this album a lot, I might even go to 8.5 or 9/10. Both also mentioned that their older albums were much worse and not nearly as enjoyable, however I enjoyed “The Hollow” and “Sleepwalking” very much, along with “The Challenger” and disagree with their ratings of the other albums. The older sound of them when they weren’t as heavy is just as enjoyable as their current, more energetic album. In my opinion, any of the albums previously mentioned are absolutely worth the money and time spent listening. They provide a good insight into their lives with the lyrics in the songs and entertaining music that can pump you up but also work for just listening anytime.