There is no band like Facing The Gallows in the South African Music scene. Their mix of hardcore, metalcore, deathcore and melodic metal is truly unique and has established them as SA’s premier metal band. They have opened for international heavyweights such as August Burns Red and Norma Jean, to name but a few. Since their formation in 2007, the band has taken their sound to new levels incorporating different elements to create the mosh heavy, headbanging music they are known for. It is a treat to see these guys perform live (beware; you will get sweaty because you will move to their relentless and pulsating beat). The band consists of Bryan Binneman (vocals) James Irving (guitar) Chase Beynon (guitar) Ray Abraham (bass) and Victor Monginho (drums)
Honourable mentions
Oblivion and Ignorance
5. Pessimist
‘Pessimist’ is one of Facing the Gallows’ newest tracks and it is one of their best yet, mainly because it sounds a bit different from their previous material. The track opens up with a sinister sounding riff from James before Bryan bellows out a humongous growl to get the mosh pit going. The song has a great guitar and drum-based intro that goes on for about a minute before Bryan’s vocals and Ray’s clean vocals intertwine to create a metal masterpiece. The song has numerous fantastic guitar parts and breakdowns with enough variety to get the listener hooked. The song focuses on numerous negative elements and one can truly feel the band’s emotion in this song. ‘I’ll never find my way, the dark consumes me,’ sings Bryan with Victor’s thumping double bass drums serenading the song to its end.

4. Forgotten
This song is a masterpiece from beginning to end considering it was written earlier in their career as a band. The clean guitar intro builds up brilliantly into the distorted riff and pounding drums before Bryan executes his signature long-winded growl. It is on this track that I first came to respect Bryan’s ability as a vocalist with his ability to hit high and low screams with precision – a real hard thing to do. There is also a sick breakdown part before the chorus kicks in with ‘distant memory is fading, fading away’. Be sure to have a listen to this multi-dimensional track.

3. Filth
This song once again opens up with some low tuned guitars and classic aggressive vocals from Bryan throughout the song. The song also has fantastic lyrical content about the filth in the world and the problems that we have to deal with on a daily basis. The music video just adds to the song with the band going full speed in the dust while a man walks on the street past all the injustices, instead of doing something positive. At the end of the music video, he digs his own hole. ‘Filth’ also has a brilliant breakdown in the bridge that fits perfectly as the band goes absolutely mental. The guitar riff at the end of the breakdown is also golden when Bryan screams ‘choke on the truth’ at full volume.

2. Borders
Ironically, there are no musical borders when it comes to this song that starts off with a face-melting solo. The crowds always go insane when they hear this song, and if you didn’t bounce when you heard this song, you were either listening to the wrong music or should leave the show. The intricate guitar and drum parts are brilliantly executed with the heavy screams. The one riff also sticks in your head constantly and that shows the band’s ability to keep it simple and technical at the same time. There are enough breakdowns without being too forced and this is what makes this band stand out from the rest.

1.Avarice
Avarice is a special song, mainly because of the excellent production and layered musical elements, lyrics and vocals. You might wonder what ‘Avarice’ means and, after listening to the lyrics, you begin to understand the title. ‘Avarice’ is an extreme greed for wealth or material gain and this fault is exactly what Facing The Gallows points out with this banger of a track. ‘Is it the power of money that makes you somebody?’ asks Bryan as he pleads for a less materialistic world. The song has a fast-paced lead riff in the verse and a headbanging ‘djent’-type riff that interchanges throughout the song. One of the best-delivered lines in the song is the last one Z ‘You coward, distorting the eyes of the ability of mankind’. Bryan yelps ‘You Coward’ with such intense ferocity and emotion that you can truly feel his displeasure for those who only live for material wealth.