Rarely can a band bring about a constant evoking of emotion to their listener with each new release. Some can pull off the sappy break-up ballads that make you think of a past relationship. Some can help you release anger. Others make you sit back and contemplate the status of life itself. North Carolina's Hopesfall is one of the few bands that can do all this and do so without resorting to gimmicks. Their latest album, The Satellite Years, evokes a state of transcendence, a movement into another dimension, and an evolution into something new, all qualities that reflect the band itself and in turn reflect upon you. In order to see how far this phenomenon (the title "band" seems too demeaning) has come, you must start from the beginning.
Hopesfall’s 1998 debut The Frailty of Words was beautifully vicious, an unprecedented hybrid of hardcore and emotion that rocked the local scene to its foundations. Screams flowed into melodic breakdowns which sometimes broke down many listeners. Never before had hardcore tugged on your heartstrings to this extent. Local label, DTS Records, believed in this new fusion and released the band's first full length; a move they are outspoken of today. Owner/operator Vic Cuccia recalls the time, "When we did the first Hopesfall release it was because I saw something that was not only unique and creative in the style of music, but there was a passion in their music and in the lives of the guys in the band. Although you could never categorize them as your typical Christian band, at the time we recorded The Frailty of Words, the band definitely had a purpose and that was to communicate the love of God to people who may have been misunderstood by the Church or who did not fit into the traditional mold of contemporary Christianity. We did the record with that in mind and came away with a passionate CD that, although it was not a big budget release, has touched the lives of numerous people. I have heard and read plenty of emails to testify of that."
Two years later, the band had a lot to live up to on their next release. Through the help of Takehold Records, the band unleashed the widely-respected and played, No Wings to Speak Of EP. This release cemented their original sound and increased popularity. Internet fans made three released tracks number one on Mp3.com for weeks on end (they appear at the top to this day). Hundreds of Cornerstone attendees skipped the much hyped Stryper reunion to watch Hopesfall tear up the stage. Two years earlier at the same fest, they had broken all the mics (damage they had to pay for). Their bio states the cost was $150, proving that wooing fans sometimes comes at a price.
As their EP received rave reviews, the band was changing with the replacement of members and touring throughout the country.
Enter the new version of Hopesfall and a signing with New Jersey's Trustkill Records (Poison the Well, Eighteen Visions) and even more major changes within the lineup. Before recording, Doug Venable (vocals) left the band and was replaced by Jay Forrest. Then after helping write and record the album, Ryan Parrish (guitar/vocals) was requested to leave. When asked about his thoughts on this, Ryan said that the band was going a new way and his leaving was a blessing in disguise. With these replacements, many fans were left wondering if this new band was still on the same spiritual plane as before with Doug and Ryan both being Christians. Currently Hopesfall is taking no spiritual stance as a band.
On their much-awaited Trustkill debut, The Satellite Years, Hopesfall revive the feelings of the No Wings EP while maintaining growth and evolution as a whole. The disc was produced by Matt Talbott (formerly of Hum) and mixed by Keith Cleversley who has mixed Hum and Spiritualized. Needless to say it has full, spacey dynamics and generally brings a more forceful quality with guitar fluctuations fans have come to expect.
Now, post release, the band has met a wider audience and sales have been very successful. The Satellite Years Sound Scanned 3,000 copies in the first two weeks out, and made both the Heatseekers chart and the Top Independent Albums chart on Billboard. Hopesfall supported the release last November with Shai Hulud, Atreyu and Remembering Never then into December with Atreyu and Avenged Sevenfold.
-Zach Bard
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Hopesfall is absolutely amazing. Good stuff.
Posted by:
David Allen on February 17, 2003 08:31 PM
Hopesfall's first three releases - amazing. Hopesfall's next release - who knows? Ryan Parrish was the primary writer for Hopesfall, so how will they be able to recreate the sound? I myself feeling slightly betrayed and jaunted by the member changes. It seems as if Trustkill Records ousted the religion to make them more marketable to the majority of hardcore listeners. This is something that wouldn't supprise me in the least. I guess Christianity just doesn't fit next to the likes of Eighteen Visions, Poison The Well, and Bleeding Through; something which I view to be extremely sad.
Posted by:
James Williams on February 18, 2003 11:27 AM
One more thing - its .hopesfall., not Hopesfall. Even I am guilty of forgetting that.
Posted by:
James Williams on February 18, 2003 11:28 AM
I do agree with you, James. I am not sure where .hopesfall. will be heading. Yes, there first three albums are freakin' good. I love it. I finally get a chance to see them here in Nor Cal. I can't wait. Rock on.
Posted by:
johnnie on February 19, 2003 12:44 AM
i do believe .hopesfall. is lacking without their spiritual aspect..it just adds to the emotion...not to say they're not as good now..i still love the music but i believe their earlier stuff was more impactful to people...
Posted by:
Josh on February 19, 2003 01:36 PM
I think .hopesfall.'s new cd rocks, just as much as the last ones. Trustkill did nothing to the spiritual side, maybe the band went that way. Josh of Trustkill signs bands he likes, so, in that regard, why sign someone you like, then change it? Doesn't make sense to me...
Posted by:
Dale Peterson on February 19, 2003 08:31 PM
I was wondering now, does that make .hopesfall. a band with no christians in it? I'm not trying to judge them but I feel better supporting a band that I know is trying to reach people for God. You know?
Posted by:
Scott on February 22, 2003 06:24 PM
okay, so the music is great, and loud. So I went to go see them live. what i saw and heard disappointed me very much. the show was good, but the stream of f-words that came from vocalist jays' mouth, and the after-concert drunkenness of the entire band was revolting. yup, they were all pretty blitzed on smirnoff. its really a shame.
Posted by:
Anthony S. on February 23, 2003 03:04 PM
yeah, especially since they still get to play at "christian" festivals like cornerstone, when real Christian bands struggle to get a spot.
Posted by:
Jason on February 23, 2003 03:07 PM
first of all ill start of by saying .hopesfall. is quite possibly the best band my ears have heard well maybe tie with converge but still. On my next note what is all this with the christianity i mean i know it plays a large role in the hxc world but it shouldnt be like "well if your christian you cant drink or cuss and have to play a role" im a christian and i know many christians and it shouldnt be a burden put onto someone to fit a role. I mean i know pastors that drink and the f word is just a word 4 letters in some odd order. I know it doesnt set a good example just blurting it off repeatedly but it in no way should take away from the music. I just think the hxc "scene" should be less about the scene and more about the music. thanks for reading my boring response
Posted by:
chris on February 24, 2003 09:03 AM
i have to agree with chris on this one...why cant it be just about the music?
why do people have to first look at a bands religous beliefs before they even give them a chance?
it all just seems silly to me.
Posted by:
Josh on February 24, 2003 08:06 PM
Well, I own No wings to speak of and Sattelite years, but hearing comments like, "the show was good, but the stream of f-words that came from vocalist jays' mouth, and the after-concert drunkenness of the entire band was revolting." I think if they're gonna do that, then that's up to them, but they should change their name. "cause the .hopesfall. that I know used to be about ministry. And when some kid goes to their concert thinking their a christian band, it could really turn him off to christians.
Posted by:
Scott on February 24, 2003 10:23 PM
THat is a bit saddening, the whole f-word things, but hey thats just life to me. Oh, and i will die when i see the fro the first time this year at Cornerstone. I care not for petty labesl "christian" "secular" all i know is that i approve of their lyrics, and i LOVE their music.
And before you shoot me down in flames for being "anti-christian" I have been a Xian for 9 years now.
Schtan from Australia
Posted by:
GeneralSchtan on February 25, 2003 09:51 AM
All I know is that Hopesfall is a group of very talented and original people...I'm a little pissed about the line-up changes and the events taking place such as the "after-concert drunkeness" and constant swearing, but what can you do? I don't understand it and never will, I especially wish I understood why that haven't changed their name, but then again, Zao never changed their name after "The Splinter Shards..." which really confuses me. Produce a sound and put a name to it...if you change the sound, you change the name. I swear...
But anyway, I'm sure the next Hopesfall album will be incredible...the music anyway. If Jay starts swearing in his lyrics, I don't know. It sounds lame of me to say that, but I'm sick of Christian bands being taken over by things like this. It just kind of sucks, you know?
Posted by:
Danny McVey on February 27, 2003 10:12 AM
ZAO never changed their name because the new members never did anything to hurt the witness that the old members (mainly Shawn) if the new members of .hopesfall. really are hurting the witness the members before them set, I think they should change the name.
Posted by:
Grant on February 28, 2003 07:35 AM
I am a Christian. While i do not agre with the what hopesfall is presenting themselves. Who are we to judge them? They are up on stage and since it is not us up there we seem to feel we have the right to judge them on the way the act. It is sad they have backslid in their relationships with God, but who has not? I think they have every right to be who they are regardless of if it meets the Christian standards or not. They are a band of ordinary people, not Poster boy Christians. My advice is pray for them dont point out and ridicule them for what they do wrong.
Posted by:
Michael on March 5, 2003 03:55 PM
you stupid fucks! CHRISTIANITY IS BULLSHIT! Im gald hopesfall is no longer around. you say dotn base music on its religon and u just stereotyped urselves saying the band is bad becaus ethey say fuck. WELL FUCK YOU CHRISTIANITY IS CENSORSHIP!
Posted by:
THRASHCOREKID on March 5, 2003 05:42 PM
Well, personally, .hopesfall. is my favorite band right now. I currently own No Wings to Speak Of and Satellite Years, and i have ordered the Frailty of Words. Someone towords the top of the comments said, "why cant it be just about the music? why do people have to first look at a bands religous beliefs before they even give them a chance? it all just seems silly to me."
Well this is my view on the issue. Why can't it just be about Jesus? That may sound cheezey to some of you guys, but looking at this from an eternal view, the scene doesn't matter, .hopesfall. doesn't matter. All that matters is where we give the glory.
It bothers me about the new attitude of the band, but bands change, people change. With a new vocalist, you get a new front man. A different person to represent the band's standpoint. I haven't decided exactly where i stand on the issue, but i'd rather listen to a band that's priority is Christ, not his band. That kind of narrows my choices down, but there are some bands like that out there, i.e. Haste the Day. If you'd like a list bands that are a ministry, then email me. Thanks for reading my comment.
Posted by:
Chris on March 6, 2003 10:17 AM
i got to know .hopesfall. when i interview them when they played here in nor cal. they are a bunch of good guys. i mostly talked to jay. he is good guy trying to inspire people with their music.
Posted by:
johnnie on March 7, 2003 10:36 AM
I personally know there is atleast one Christian in the band. Wether they want to say, is up to them. I wouldn't want to say I was a Christian either if I am going to get judged like the previous comments. Just take the amazing music for what it is. Music. This is why I dislike the Christian music scene. You close off your borders to anyone who isn't like you. Leave Judgement for God.
Posted by:
Kevin on March 9, 2003 12:22 PM
If these bands can't affirm their "christian"status, fine. I won't judge them. But they lack integrity when they allow themselves to be marketed that way. If Cornerstone is a "Christian" festival. (That's how they market it) They shouldn't have bands play that can't affirm Christ. Then these bands whine about being labeled "christian". It's stupid. Have some integrity and don't sell your Cds in bookstores and play christian festivals unless you can deal with people drawing the conclusion that you actually love Jesus. You're confusing everybody.
Posted by:
keith on March 12, 2003 03:11 PM
whether .hopesfall is made up of Christians or not is a controversial subject. To some people, it's important. To other people, it is not. When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, the important part is whether the music is GOOD or not. And my opinion is that .hopesfall is GOOD. People, Christians particularly, need to realize that the judging of motives is not our job, it is God's. Do you realize that when go around saying that "such-and-such band" is non-Christian and therefore you choose to abstain from their music, that shows non-Christians that you are very shallow, and influenced only by the traditions of the church. If you're going to dislike a band because of what you think they stand for, at least look in to it. Find out what they DO stand for. Hell, email the band. And if you choose not to support the band, good for you, but that should be between you and God. By spreading your judgement of the band, you are in essence speaking out of turn and trashing the members as people.
As for what someone said about knowing pastors who drink and don't care about the F-word, that's cool and all, that shows that the pastors you know are HUMAN and don't try to deny. I hope, however, that just because we've heard of pastors who cuss or drink or smoke or what have you, we will take time out to look into these behaviors and decide for ourselves what is pleasing to God. It does not matter what other people do... that does not determine what is right for YOU.
God Bless :)
Meg
Posted by:
meg on March 13, 2003 02:18 PM
these are some of the dumbest comments i have ever read. do you people really think like this? of course the only thing that matters is the music and whether it is good. it is. who cares if hopesfall is out there giving non-believers the wrong i dea and throwing them off. we can not be stumbling blocks to others, we are how some people see God. regardless of what anyone says they do not display proper behavior. as Christians, we should lead by example this does not include filthy language and drunkeness(drinking is perfectly fine in moderation) Words of praise and bad words should not come out of the same mouth. apathy has become a big problem with Christiians today. we seem to feel that everything is exucable because we should not judge, but wrong is still wrong. we can not say "oh, it is ok because only God can judge. well, His thoughts on behavior are in the Bible. i like secular and Christian music both and i do not condone juding others, but as children of God we should be examples to other that they might know Gods glory. please pray for hopesfall that they send clear messages (whatever they may be) and that theyre relationships may be strengthened. i am from charlotte and to see a once spiritual band turn into something far from Gods word is saddening. i dont want to judge because i do the same things sometimes, but i need to be held accountable and so does hopesfall. it is our job as Christians to catch those fallin and help them up
Posted by:
knobby bobby on March 24, 2003 09:06 PM
if the members in hopesfall are going to get drunk and act like idiots more power to them, but im not going to support them. im sick of the "rock star" attitude these bands throw around. if im going to support a band its going to be not only on musical merit but also on character....i remember the glorious days of spirit-filled hardcore....goodbye hopesfall i once new.
Posted by:
garrett on April 14, 2003 07:47 PM
from reading 3/4 of the comments made about hopesfall i have to say is love the Lord God withall your heart mind and soul paul spoke about all things being permissable but not all things are beneficial it is your choice to drink to smoke to cuss to do anything but if you are turning someone away from the Lord then you are hurting someone elsewhy do so many people think that nothing matters that no one is affected by my choices and actions everything and everyone is connected so ca'nt be just the music or just my life think about it
Posted by:
Joe P-Town Jolliff on April 24, 2003 12:44 PM
.hopesfall. is possibly the most amazing band i have ever heard, yet I believe that the same band I have heard on the frailty of words is gone. If the members want to drink and smoke and cuss that is fine, but i agree with garret on this one. I feel much better supporting a band that at least stay true to themselves. I think that they should at least change their name, and not make the hopesfall i used to know look bad..
Posted by:
Brandon on May 14, 2003 05:54 PM
Is .hopesfall. even playing cornerstone this year? they were on the schedule, then they weren't. now, they are listed in the wednesday section on the cstone website, but not on the list with the complete bands. so are they playing there or not?
Posted by:
Joshua on June 26, 2003 04:16 AM
Im from brazil, and hopesfall has changed the way I make and see music, I have a band, and because of hopesfall we´re changing the our style, not to an hopesfall´s copy, but for an original! I´m just a few months in their music although they had influenced me so much. see ya
Posted by:
leo "spit" on July 10, 2003 12:43 AM
hopesfall used to be so awesome. their music is still good now, but their lyrics lack any meaning. i could care less if you think i'm being stereotypical or not, but i won't buy another hopesfall c.d. if that's how they really act. i remember when i first became a christian, and how awesome it was to hear such a great band, very talented. and yet this same band was belting out such meaningful lyrics, that really hit home. the line-up changes sadden me, and i honestly don't know who in the band is an original member. does anyone know what the earlier members that have left are doing now? i'd love to see if they are doing something right now musically. if you know, then please email me! that'd be awesome. but as for listening to future hopesfall, i probably will not. it's all about what we 'feed our spirit', and i for one see that hopesfall is not what they used to be. and if anyone has a problem with them, email me.
-a closed mind because my eyes are open-
Posted by:
justin on July 20, 2003 02:34 AM
Well, I have seen hopesfall with the new singer, but not since they kicked out the other members, their set was very good, and I didnt hear a stream of f words, but if I did that would not change my oppinion of them anyways. My only complaint with the member changes is not that their spirituality has suffered, but they have gone tame live. Sure they were still awesome live by most standards, but compared to cornerstone a few years ago, they might have well be standing still. Either way, they are still a good band, and whatever ever they do is their choice, and not ours
Posted by:
andrew torriente on July 23, 2003 07:35 PM
I havent actually heard the band, but God's word says: LK 17:1 Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. 2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 So watch yourselves.
We all have an awesome responsibility therefore to set a good example and look out for those around us.
Posted by:
Jon on October 7, 2003 12:09 AM
