SONG REVIEW: easternfault - "Doveletter"
Easternfault bring an energetic song, “Doveletter” to life with intricately and melodic melodies
by Jesse Smith
In 2022, we have seen a resurrection of the technical guitar riffs and even solos. I mean, It has never gone away but for a short run, the music industry (especially the underground scene) was plagued with simple breakdown patterns and 3 chord pop punk. This wasn’t the case in all subgenres but it has definitely become more in the mainstream which for bands like Easternfault, they could be gearing up to ride the wave. Emerging from Bethlehem, PA, Easternfault is a tech-metalcore band that has the combination of crushing breakdowns, orchestral electronic textures, and technical guitar riffs that blend together to make sweet, sweet metal. Since forming in 2018, Easterfault has released a handful of singles and an EP titled “The Birthing Stone”. Now in 2022, the arrival of their newest single “Doveletter” which has a more defined and polished sound with all of the same characteristics that makes the band’s identity.
Doveletter starts off with a bouncy percussive riff with some ambient electronics to compliment its simplicity. A calm before the storm, giving the band a chance to interact with their audience live before kicking into full tech mode. After the intro, you quickly hear the talent brought by guitarists Steven (Geoffrey) Fekete and Lucas Tratnyek. For a majority of the song, the strings play a huge role into making this song and sound what it is. Intricate and melodic, but yet not overbearing. The overall highlight of the song is without a doubt the guitar solo mid song. With the rise of guitar solos being brought back from the grave, an effective guitar solo to me is like a really heavy breakdown, they are both meant to showcase who you are as a band and to excite the listener and that is exactly what they did. Immediately after the solo, the dual vocal breakdown is also outstanding, which brought back the whole band into the spotlight in the best way possible.
Easternfault reminds me of the sound bands like The Air I Breathe had, where it was very guitar centered but also had modern metalcore vibes instead of sounding like Killswitch Engage. But at that time, It was too soon for that style to be taken in by the masses in the midst of the simplistic breakdown movement. I think this is a great release for the band and a step in the right direction and I’m interested in how the band will keep evolving. Easternfault is going to be a shining face in their scene and with the right steps I can see them really branching out and making a statement. If you’re a fan of melodic guitars, you should definitely keep them on your radar.