Artist: If Not For Me
Title: Where The Light Begins To Fade
Genre: Metalcore
Release Date: 14th August 2026
Label: Thriller Records
Album Review
Here’s the new album by IF NOT FOR ME, called ‘Where The Light Begins To Fade’. You have never heard of them before? Well, then it is about time that you do! IF NOT FOR ME is a Metalcore band from Harrisburg, Philadelphia was formed in 2015. The same year, the band released their independent debut album ‘Written In Blood’.
The breakthrough album ‘Eulogy’, which brought along nationwide as well as international attention, was released in 2022, followed by ‘Everything You Wanted’ in 2024. Along the lines, IF NOT FOR ME has made quite some friends in the scene, some of which joined in on this brand-new album. So, here’s ‘Where The Light Begins To Fade’, coming with twelve songs and lasting for forty-five minutes. And this is what it sounds like:
‘Retrograde’ grants a brilliant opening to this album. The mixed styles create a perfect balance between intense hardcore elements and deep emotions. ‘Lie Awake’ is puling you along right away. But not only the arrangements have power. You can feel this song deep within, let me tell you that. For this brilliant song, IF NOT FOR ME got support from WIND WALKERS, which is another US metalcore band you might want to check out. On it goes with ‘Unholy’. This rough piece presents a disarray of arrangements and sounds, coming close to rattling your sanity.
‘Say It To My Face’ is an incredibly relatable song. This honest and straight forward features the US death core band LEFT TO SUFFER. The energy loaded track ‘Broken Throne’ gets your head banging along. ‘Prey For Me’ ignites a spark of hope deep within. The slightly brighter arrangements bring along a catchy chorus while reminding you to be honest and “practice what you preach”. ‘Teeth’ continues strong. The brilliant chorus and underlying melodies will get you moving along for sure. This song carries strong emotions, brought to life by the powerful and intense vocals.
For ‘Novocaine’, IF NOT FOR ME brought along the US rock band CATCH YOUR BREATH. Compared to the other tracks, this one feels softer and more rounded, with a remarkably smooth sound. The harsh, rough-edged metalcore sound come right back with ‘Love To Hate Me’, although the lyrics and vocals keep some of the previous softer touch. The rhythmic and upbeat arrangements of ‘Pretty Lies’ will definitely get you moving along, maybe even dancing along. Almost soft comes along ‘Save Me’.
These deep lyrics might even get you to swaying along. This song is absolutely capable of letting the light shine through, rather than letting it fade. ‘Close To Closure’ rattles your cage one last time. It comes blasting at you with full force before the music fades and leaves you behind with a void that needs to be filled. And to me, that is the moment when “the light begins to fade”, to quote the album title.
IF NOT FOR ME have released an album that is a brilliant discovery from start to finish. This is the kind of album that gets under your skin and keeps you coming back. ’Where The Light Begins To Fade’ is a true masterclass and quickly becomes addictive. It sure became addictive to me and I am unable to stop listening. So, check out this amazing new release by IF NOT FOR ME.
Tracklist
01. Retrograde
02. Lie Awake (feat. Wind Walkers)
03. Unholy
04. Say It To My Face (feat. Left To Suffer)
05. Broken Throne
06. Prey For Me
07. Teeth
08. Novocaine (feat. Catch Your Breath)
09. Love To Hate Me
10. Pretty Lies
11. Save Me
12. Close To Closure
Line-up
Patrick Glover - Vocals
Hayden Calhoun - Guitar
Zac Allen - Bass
Cody Frain - Drums
Website
https://www.ifnotformeband.com / https://www.instagram.com/ifnotforme / https://www.facebook.com/IfNotForMe
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 10
Sound: 10
Total: 10 / 10
