THE BEAST

Fallen Keys - Pseudomerica - Reviewed By 195metalcds ! Check it out here at this link: https://www.195metalcds.com/2023/03/15/fallen-keys-pseudomerica-2022/

Fallen Keys is a one-man progressive metal project from Philadelphia fusing classic heavy metal, thrash, grunge, groove metal, early 2000s metalcore and a handful of well-placed humour.

Following the release of Instauration (2019), an intense and introspective EP of thrash instrumentals, one-man metal project Fallen Keys is ready to let his voice be heard on his debut album, Pseudomerica (2022).

Portrait of a man with shoulder-length hair wearing a black t-shirt.
In these uncertain times America needs nothing
Nothing is greater than America
Nothing is more powerful than America
Nothing can change America
Nothing can save America Believe in nothing!

Lyrics to opening track “E pluribus nihil”
Thus begins this heavy metal ‘tour de farce’ which guides the listener through the absurd technology-induced fever dream of the United States in the age of social media – a culture of consumerism, narcissism and, increasingly, nihilism.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of mass hysteria, declining trust in institutions, weaponized tribalism, social-engineering vis-a-vis social media, and the concentration of power in the hands of fewer and fewer mega-corporations (the album even pauses for an advertisement from one such company).

Musically, each track features a unique blend of influences, textures and metal sub-genres blended together with non-traditional arrangements, tempo and time-signature changes.

And, oh! what fun this album is! While the promo material compared it to Dream Theater, Pantera and Lamb of God, to me this shares more of a stage with the likes of Devin Townsend, Steve Vai and Frank Zappa as these beautifully-crafted, melodic and thrashing songs are infused with a tongue-in-cheek humour that only contributes to the overall vibe of this album.

Conclusion
Fans of heavy music will all find something to love in this surreal reflection of surreal times, whether in full-out rockers like “Persuasive delirium” or funky numbers like “Anti-social media”.

Review score: 80% 195metalcds

Release Date: 20 May 2022

FFO: Dream Theater, Pantera, Lamb of God

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fallen Keys is a one-man progressive metal project from Philadelphia fusing classic heavy metal, thrash, grunge, groove metal, and early 2000s metalcore.

Following the release of Instauration, an intense and introspective EP of thrash instrumentals, one-man metal project Fallen Keys is ready to let his voice be heard on his debut album, Pseudomerica.

Independently written, produced, recorded and released, Pseudomerica is a heavy metal tour de farce shepherding the listener through the absurd technology-induced fever dream of the United States in the age of social media - a culture of consumerism, narcissism and, increasingly, nihilism. Lyrically, the album explores themes of mass hysteria, declining trust in institutions, weaponized tribalism, social-engineering vis-a-vis social media, and the concentration of power in the hands of fewer and fewer mega-corporations (the album even pauses for an advertisement from one such company).

Musically, each track features a unique blend of influences, textures and metal sub-genres blended together with non-traditional arrangements, tempo and time-signature changes. Between the bluesy fury of Persuasive Delirium, the lumbering groove of Rawhide, the samba-infused breakdown of The Eliminationists, and the relentless thrash of For a Muse of Fire, fans of heavy music will all find something to love on this surreal reflection of surreal times.

Pseudomerica is available to listen to on all the major streaming platforms, where you can also find an Instrumental version of the album with an alternate cover.

Support them on Bandcamp!

Follow the artist at these links:

For more information, promo requests, or to arrange an interview, please contact the artist directly at fallenkeys@gmail.com.

https://www.fallenkeys.com

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1QiMjrIjB3Vne9pCfhbJgH

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/fallen-keys/1414130367

https://fallenkeys.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@fallenkeys9514

Dmitriy Churilov