To Those Left Behind

Released in 2015, To Those Left Behind represents the fifth studio outing for Arizona's Blessthefall and serves as a spiritual successor to the highly successful 'Hollow Bodies'. Produced by genre-staple Joey Sturgis, the album is a masterclass in the 'Sturgis sound' - characterized by extreme digital clarity, triggered drum precision, and a wall-of-sound approach to guitar tracking. This specific record is notable for integrating more diverse influences than their previous work, specifically drawing from R&B and contemporary pop for its melodic structures. This is most evident in the vocal phrasing of Beau Bokan, which often employs runs and cadences more common in soul music than metal. Critically, the album was seen as a refinement of their formula rather than a reinvention, solidifying their position as leaders in the melodic metalcore scene. It balances the technicality of tracks like 'Decayer' with the more accessible, almost radio-ready hooks of 'Condition // Comatose'.