Wasted Youth

Released in 2012, Wasted Youth represents a significant transitional period for For the Fallen Dreams. Produced by the band alongside Tom Denney (formerly of A Day to Remember), the album marked a departure from the strictly heavy melodic hardcore of Changes and Relentless. This record introduced more overt post-hardcore influences, specifically through the increased use of clean-sung choruses by Dylan Richter and a more technical, syncopated approach to drumming provided by Dylan Shippey. It was the band's sole release on Artery Recordings and featured a unique lineup that would dissolve shortly after its release, with Richter and guitarist Kalan Blehm departing. Critically, it is seen as a polarizing entry that embraced the 'Rise-core' aesthetic of the early 2010s while maintaining the rhythmic complexity that defined the band's Michigan roots. The album's legacy is defined by its high production values and its role as a bridge between the band's hardcore origins and a more melodic, alternative metal future.