Labels are vain tries created to translate in words what a band musically plays. Such words usually fail to describe a whole musical universe in front of the fans, and can cause problems, because today there are many people living with limits, and music is something that really doesn’t need limits. There are people that turns the face when the label Alternative Rock/Metal is said, but a lot of excellent names exist on it, as JANE’S ADDICTION, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, SOUNDGARDEN, ALICE IN CHAINS and others. And to label a band with it can fail, because acts as the Portuguese quartet IN WE FALL transcends such limits, as heard on “Inner Self”, the band’s latest full-length.

They can be said as an Alternative Metal band in the amplest sense of the words (please, don’t try to reduce things), with clear influences of acts as ALTER BRIDGE and SEVENDUST, with a blend of elements of Grunge Rock, Progressive Metal, some bits of Stoner Rock, Groove Rock and many more. The band knows who to use a heavy and intense outfit in some moments (as some double bass drums’ parts heard on “Road to Li(v)e”) and to express its melodies in a catching and introspective way (as heard on “Whole Again”), with a different insight on Alternative Metal/Rock, without become extremely overloaded on technical aspects (so it’s easier to hear and like their work), and full of energy. Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Daniel Moreira (the band’s guitarist/singer) at EvoluiSom Studios, the sonority of “Inner Self” is clean and defined, but with a clear organic feeling (what means that things aren’t overloaded on the digital sound editions), and a great care in the instrumental tunes. And the artwork created for the cover by Phobos Anomaly Design is truly excellent.

All the 10 songs of this release are really a very good experience for the ears, as can checked while “Road to Li(v)e” (a massive combination of heavier parts with charming melodies, with excellent bass guitar and drums parts), “(A)void” (frantic guitar parts contrasts with charming Alternative melodies in many moments, with very good leads and arrangements on the six chords), “Looking Inside” (a more introspective moment, with excellent melodies and charming vocals, with elements that really brings to mind the singing of Chris Cornell and Scott Weiland), “Whole Again”, “Hope is Gone” (a charming and melancholic ballad with very good clean guitars arrangements), “Silent War” (a fine set of contrasts between melancholic parts and electric moments can be heard here), “Half Human”, “What Now?”, “Winter Shades” (fine guitars once more with a heavy work on bass guitar and drums, with many Prog Metal broken rhythms), and “Empty Hand” are playing.

“Inner Self” is a very good release, showing that IN WE FALL is a relevant name for the Alternative Metal scene that is just beginning to show its potential. Listen to it and enjoy.