Roses Never Fade - Devil Dust CD

About 5 years ago, an interesting album was released by the likes of Dwid Hellion, T, Matt Shack and Nick Fiction. Although these were all big names in the world of metallic hardcore, what they released was far from what would be expected from such a group. The album contained 12 tracks of dark, acoustic "apocalyptic folk" that was just done right FANtastic. After a couple of EP releases, the group is "back" with their second LP.
When I say back, it is really by name only. The line up has had a bit of a change over the years, with AVVs Nathan Opposition joining in on vocals on their latest EP. This album also sees Austin Rathmell, from The Way to Light, joining Opposition as vocals. Aside from these two, the only other member, and only original member left, is Nick Fiction. This is really quite a different band from the one back in 2009, and it definitely shows.

There are still tracks that are reminiscent of the first line up, such as Incandescent Dreams, a highlight for me. The guitar work sounds reminds me of the previous album's title track, and the haunted whispered vocals are just perfect. The big difference lies on the tracks where Nathan Opposition takes the lead on the vocals, these are generally a lot softer than I'd come to expect from the group. In a way they almost don't fit with what RNF originally tried to achieve back in 2009.

Currently this has only been released on CD, courtesy of Neuropa records. Hopefully this will see a vinyl release sometime in the future, it does deserve it.
The CD packaging doesn't have an awful lot mention, and I'm slightly disappointed that no original artwork had been developed for this release. Aside from the new twisted portraits of Oppostion and Rathmell, all the artwork has come straight from the first release.

That may have seemed a slightly negative review, but if anything it is just because the bar had been set so high. It is still a great second album, and I'd love to hear more from the group in the coming years.