‘Fallen Star’: Employed To Serve Reflect on Burnout and Emotional Collapse

Let’s be clear: a band must know how to evolve—especially when they continue to release albums—otherwise they risk falling into what could be called the “Architects syndrome” (we challenge you to distinguish between tracks from their last three records…). The price of evolution is the opportunity to explore new ground, but it also comes with the risk of alienating some fans.

Employed To Serve is a prime example. After making a powerful impact on their home scene with their early releases The Warmth of a Dying Sun and Eternal Forward Motion, the UK-based band has recently taken a noticeable stylistic turn—one that may very well leave some listeners behind.

Gradually, the Woking natives have been moving away from their early post-hardcore punk roots, venturing instead into more trend-driven alt-metal(core) territory—starting with the single « Party’s Over », a title that now feels all the more symbolic in hindsight. This stylistic shift culminated in Conquering, an album that, truth be told, left us rather unmoved.

Now signed to Spinefarm Records—a label not exactly known for encouraging bold experimentation—the band is set to release their fifth studio album, Fallen Star, this coming spring. While the label may not guarantee risk-taking, the guest lineup suggests otherwise: Serena Cherry (Svalbard), Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage), and Will Ramos (Lorna Shore) are all featured. The band has already unveiled the title track, complete with a music video, which you can watch below.