MEMPHIS MAY FIR

Metalcore is such a huge genre today that it's difficult to believe there was a time before it was so prevalent, but bands such as MEMPHIS MAY FIRE paved the way for years of great metalcore music to bloom.

The group got their start in the mid-2000s and released their debut studio album, "Sleepwalking", in 2009 on Trustkill Records. MEMPHIS MAY FIRE followed that up with their Rise Records debut, "The Hollow", in 2011, which is when their popularity rose. Throughout the years, they've stayed with Rise, and are now on their eighth studio album, "Shapeshifter".

At this point, MEMPHIS MAY FIRE are veterans of the metalcore landscape. What's made them stand out over the years is their knack for crafting hooky, catchy music laced in a viciously heavy delivery.

"Shapeshifter" follows this tradition with explosive metalcore songs that sound like they were purpose-made to play back-to-back. From the opening wall of guitar riffing in "Chaotic" to the death metal screams of "Love Is War", what makes "Shapeshifter" rise above other albums in their field is the variety on the record.

On "Chaotic", the album's opening track, MEMPHIS MAY FIRE prove that you can create a danceable metal song, complete with upbeat rhythms that could be played in a club, but with heavy guitarwork. "Chaotic" is the most radio-friendly song on the set, and one could hear it beside songs from BAD OMENS and SHINEDOWN. That said, the single "Hell Is Empty" is actually the song that's charting on active rock radio right now, and it makes sense, it's one of the more mainstream-sounding songs on the set. Here, MEMPHIS MAY FIRE offer blazing riffs and choruses with a straight-ahead rock vocal delivery from Matty Mullins.

Elsewhere, "Infection" offers a catchy electronic backing, pop-influenced background vocals and a huge-sounding, anthemic chorus; while title track "Shapeshifter" is the heaviest songs on the set, employing bleeding, death metal growls and choppy rhythms.

With the return of the Warped Tour, metalcore is as centerstage as ever, and MEMPHIS MAY FIRE continue to prove that they're worthy of not only their veteran status but also staying relevant today. With the power and creative energy that's apparent on "Shapeshifter", this band obviously has a lot left to say.