With guitarist Jim Hocking the only constant factor over its decade-plus history, Michigan metalcore mainstay For the Fallen Dreams is more of a transplantable musical manifesto than a chemistry among specific individuals. Over 11 years and 25 members, FtFD has, however, developed from DIY deathcore to accomplished, borderline melodic hardcore. With people's-choice frontman Chad Ruhlig returned to the mic, the now-foursome is somehow even more lithely fearsome in single-guitar format, its violence increasingly generated by disjointed rhythmic salvoes and Ruhlig's disgusted, cast-all-before-me roar, which is offset with twinkly guitar and “clean” vocal subplots. Metalcore may have run its course as an expressive force, but For the Fallen Dreams is at least going out with a wonderfully nuanced bang.

Tue., May 20, 6 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 05/20/14)

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