Streaming Now! Montreal Brass Metal FALLSTAF Returns w/ New Album "Ode To The Dead"
- Jason Hesley
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read

After nearly ten years away from the spotlight, Montreal’s groundbreaking brass-metal band Fallstaf makes a powerful return with their highly anticipated second album, "Ode to The Dead." Produced by Kevin Jardine (Slaves on Dope), the full album will be available to stream ahead of its official release on November 14th, premiering exclusively on Hardcore Worldwide’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/3PPV6LE73cs
Known for pioneering the genre of brass-infused experimental metal, Fallstaf first made waves in 2011 with their debut album, "Bastard Son of a Pure Breed," also produced by Jardine. Their signature sound, heavy riffs, progressive structures, and a masked trombonist in full suit and tie, earned them cult status in the Montreal metal scene.
But tragedy struck in 2016 when frontman IANN suffered a near-fatal accident, resulting in a coma, multiple injuries, and the loss of his leg. The band dissolved. Now, nearly ten years later, Fallstaf reunites with Jardine to deliver a powerful, deeply personal new record that channels pain, survival, and rebirth.
"Ode to The Dead" is a seven-track exploration of mortality, from personal tragedy and mental anguish to crime, conflict, and loss. Drawing from frontman IANN’s near-death experience and the band’s shared grief, the album is both a tribute and a release.
It opens with “Sunless Friday,” a chilling retelling of IANN’s accident, where cold riffs and screaming trombone set the tone. The title track, “Ode to The Dead,” honors those we’ve lost, echoing the idea that “they walk among us.” “Battered Soul” dives into depression and suicide with sludge-heavy weight and a fading finale. “Kings of the West Side” recounts Montreal’s mafia history with gangland grit and resurrected riffs. “Under the Same Sky” reflects on global unrest and shared humanity, while “Bastard Son” tells a hitman’s legacy through galloping riffs and thrash choruses. The closer, “The Burden,” mourns the toll of cancer with crushing heaviness and a melodic, mournful release. Each track is a raw, brass-laced chapter in Fallstaf’s powerful return.
“We didn’t make this album to impress anyone. We made it out of friendship. Music is therapeutic. Metal brings people together, and we missed that energy,” adds the band.
The album artwork, featuring a layered skull photo taken by IANN, reflects the lyrical darkness without veering into the macabre. It’s a visual metaphor for the band’s rebirth: haunting, honest, and human.
