Faith In Glory - 'Opia' Album Review

Tracklist: 1. Chains 2. Break The Rules 3. Young 4. Unchained 5. This Hell 6. Rebellion 7. Lost Hope 8. Trade All Others 9. Opia Get your head phones on, lie on your bed and forget the world for the next hour. Faith In Glory have just released one of the best debut albums I have ever heard from an unsigned band. Opener “Chains” features some lovely gated reverbs on the verses for the vocals to really draw in the atmosphere. The drumming really grabs my attention in the mid section of this song and already knowing the proficiency of Ollie's playing, he wastes no time in putting his vibrant stamp on this record. Jack's voice yet again bellows out towards the end and we are blinded by some dizzying highs notes. “Break the Rules” is a melodic but heavy track. It echoes elements of 30 Seconds To Mars to me and Jack Collins' vocal wails over this anthemic chorus in true style with a finesse any vocalist should strive for. “Rebellion” screams mid 2000's Metal-Core initially. Very reminiscent of Daylight Dies era Killswitch and a great opening solo. We hear Jack's brother Aiden and bass player sing this verse and his voice reminds me of Mark Tremonti. The difference in range in both singers really compliments the tonality of the songs and the harmonies are fantastic as a result. By far, my absolute favourite on this record is the beautiful “This Hell”. We can hear the pop qualities in Jack's voice and the vocal is just left to sing and embellish the song all by itself. A very Alter Bridge inspired type of song. I can hear One Day Remains throughout this track. It offers a great respite to the assault of the rest of the album. “Lost Hope” and the title track “Opia” standout as the thematic statements of the record. The groove of “Opia” is so dirty and horrid. Makes me feel like I ate ten KFC's in a row but it's ten KFC's though... That's a great thing. You get me? No me neither. A slower tempo song that's as full of conviction as any other. The drum grooves in “Trade All Others... ghost notes, odd times and really well thought out rhythmic patterns. It really drives what sounds like a musically complex song. One for the proggies. The guitars throughout this record sound full and create a mass of distortion throughout, all credit to the talents of Carl Brewer at Redwall studios. The next song “Unchained” is no exception as we have the speediest track on the record and it almost reminds of something Devin Townsend would write until the vocals come in and then it just flies off somewhere I wouldn't expect.

Faith In Glory wear their influences heavily and are able to switch between a variety of sounds they are inspired by. Having seen the band live a few times I am familiar with some of their songs and was completely unsure of how they would translate to me on record but the album speaks for itself track after track. Their is a slick confidence and tenacity that leads them forward. What a storming debut.