Fall & Resist Sink Deep Into Shadows with Dissolved in Misery EP

Review BY Ian Walker

With Dissolved in Misery, Australian melodic metal force Fall & Resist plunge headfirst into the abyss, shedding light on internal torment, deception, and emotional unraveling in a blistering four-track experience that feels both bleak and breathtaking. Released August 5th, the EP marks a significant shift in tone and structure for the Victoria-based outfit, ushering in a darker, more experimental chapter while still maintaining their brutal melodic sensibilities.

The opening track, “Living the Lie”, wastes no time in setting the thematic and sonic tone. Driven by thunderous percussion, razor-sharp riffs, and Liam “Frosty” Frost-Camilleri’s tortured vocals, the track explores the disorienting feeling of becoming a stranger to yourself. As Frosty explains, the song is about “being trapped in a version of yourself you no longer recognise,” and this harrowing identity crisis is brought vividly to life in the accompanying lyric video — a grim visual that perfectly complements the song’s slow-burning tension and emotional collapse. It’s a track that is both immersive and arresting, and it delivers its message like a clenched fist through glass.

The EP is also notable for the introduction of guitarist Luke Murnane, whose presence allows Frosty to step away from guitar and focus fully on vocal performance — and the results are immediate. His voice sounds more dynamic, more unhinged, and far more central than in previous releases, with snarling verses and soaring, mournful melodies that guide the listener through every twist and turn of this sonic descent.

As Dissolved in Misery unfolds, it reveals new textures in Fall & Resist’s arsenal. The interplay between Brendon Pyers and Murnane creates a layered wall of sound that transitions effortlessly between brooding atmospheres and violent catharsis. Rory Pyers’ bass work underpins it all with thick, doom-laden weight, while Benito Martino’s drumming remains sharp and adaptive, able to summon blast-beat ferocity or restrained dread depending on what the moment calls for.

Though details on the remaining three tracks remain under wraps in this early look, the band’s cryptic hint at a collaboration with Dmitry from Distorta adds an exciting edge of anticipation. Frosty’s teasing comment — “Those that know us won’t be overly surprised, but it’ll be pretty cool” — suggests something creatively ambitious, perhaps even a genre-bending experiment in vocal dynamics that could further push the EP into uncharted territory.

There’s also a playful undercurrent in the band’s presentation, a trait long embedded in their DNA. While the lyrical themes are steeped in pain and inner conflict, Fall & Resist never take themselves too seriously outside the music. It’s a duality that works well — their stage presence is commanding, intense, and theatrical, but there’s always an air of approachability behind the noise. They know how to break the fourth wall and draw the listener into a shared experience, even as they explore existential collapse and digital-age disillusionment.

Dissolved in Misery is perhaps the most cohesive and confidently executed release in Fall & Resist’s discography to date. It fuses post-metal atmosphere, melodic death metal precision, and an ever-present emotional weight that never feels overwrought. Where 2018’s Fading Cinders highlighted their structural ambition and 2022’s Darkness of Now expanded their thrash leanings, this new EP refines their voice — both literally and metaphorically — into something darker, more mature, and intensely resonant.

For fans of bands like Insomnium, Gojira, or early Opeth, Dissolved in Misery is a must-listen — not just for its ferocity, but for its honesty. Fall & Resist have never shied away from confronting life’s darker moments head-on, and this EP is a testament to that commitment. It’s music made from scars, shaped into art that’s as confrontational as it is cathartic.

Verdict:

Dissolved in Misery isn’t just another entry in Fall & Resist’s catalogue — it’s a milestone. A confident evolution of their sound, this EP balances melodic complexity with brutal power, carving out a space that is wholly their own.

Standout Track: Living the Lie
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Label: Independent
Pre-order: Bandcamp