There are countless heavy albums dedicated to pushing through the adversity that life hands you. Rather in the anthemic nature of blistering hardcore songs about fighting for survival, or in the transcendent nature of an epic metal song, music has always been a key tool in escaping the shackles of life's crushing nature. Yashira are in their very nature a prime example of this. In late 2018, the band's original drummer Seth Howard tragically passed away, taking away not just an amazing talent but more important a friend and family member beloved by their community. Taking time to mourn the loss of their friend, the band would eventually move forward with a new drummer and the blessing of Seth's family, working on what would become their second full length album, Fail To Be. And what Yashira have crafted here is nothing short of inspirational, an incredible album showing the band at the height of their craft and a high watermark for heavy music in 2020, a year full of stellar releases.
Fail To Be takes everything that made the band's debut "Shrine" amazing and enhances it, eclipsing any expectations fans might have had for a second release. You can hear shades of masterpieces like Botch's classic We Are The Romans or Intronaut's earlier releases in their chaotic metal sound, but make no mistake, Yashira has charted their own path with Fail To Be and are leaving their own unique mark on the extreme metal scene. Each of the 9 songs on this album are filled with epic moments: crushing rhythm sections, unbelievably heavy riffs, scathing vocals, and an huge atmospheric assault that completely consumes you. The album echoes watershed albums from chaotic hardcore greats such as Coalesce and Converge while never slowing in it's progression to something new and previously unheard. All the while, the songs ebb and flow with each other perfectly, not a single track sounding out of place or disjointed from the album as a whole. It's one of those records you could easily pick a song or two from and thoroughly enjoy, though it's best enjoyed as an album first and foremost, and trust me when I say as soon as you hear the opening song, you're going to be strapped in for the entire ride.
Fail To Be is without a doubt a record that needs to be heard to be believed. It's an album that's I'd imagine will be talked about endlessly months and years after it's release. It's a high point of extreme music in 2020, a release that makes me incredibly proud to be a part of the Florida metal and hardcore scenes, and maybe most importantly, an incredible tribute to their fallen friend and bandmate and everyone who's life he brought joy to. One of the most incredible heavy releases of the year, period, and an absolutely essential listen for all of those that love forward thinking metal.
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