Children Of Fall

Even if Children of Fall didn't hail from Sweden, the comparisons to Refused would be unavoidable. Between the screaming vocals, post-hardcore music, literate lyrics and anti-conservative theme there is a lot this band owes to their Nordic brothers. But while being obviously influenced, COF stops well short of what could be considered plagiarism. When they veer off into chug and groove territory on the track "Becoming Less," they recall old Grade. And just to break things up and give our ears a rest, they pop in a couple of classical guitar interludes before launching into the six-minute "Out of Fate's Hands" and the disc's squealing closer "Reclaim Life."