Hopesfall have risen to prominence in the emocore ranks as of late so it is by no surprise that they were summarily snatched up by a label as high profile in the scene as Trustkill Records. What was surprising though was the fact that band frontman Doug Venable exited the fold just as the band got signed, leaving Jay Forrest to step up and take the vocal reigns. While such a change could be devastating in other genres, Hopesfall barely miss a step as most fans of hardcore are accustomed to such changes as they happen almost daily. But while Forrest represents a somewhat different face for the band, his contributions are not what necessarily set this album apart from "No Wings To Speak Of".

Whether it be the fact that Hum mastermind Matt Talbot produced the album and even guests on a track or just a new approach the band wanted to take, "The Satellite Years" finds Hopesfall beginning their journey into a much more spacier approach, drifting through mature and atmospheric melodies that bring to mind the type of change Cave In brought with "Jupiter". Not as full fledged as the latter however, Hopesfall still bring a cargo hold full of aggression on their space odyssey, juxtaposing their graceful melodic passages with sneering riffs and ferocious vocal barks, navigating a soothing ride full of scenic heights and violent lows.

All around more honed and balanced than the band have ever been in the past, "The Satellite Years" is a solid album from top to bottom and is definitely a big experimental step that many may have not seen coming. This might make it a bit controversial to the bands older fans as its expansive nature and complex rhythms can tend to slow the pace to a crawl now and then, but despite such pacings its attention to detail and continued dynamic struggle add more substance overall. In fact, even with the distinct progression into headier turf, the band still have the balls to indulge in a few violent breakdowns and as such the album is able to run the gamut of sonic tapestries, only to then set them all aflame. Sure it may not be the most ground breaking effort out there to date, but the music contained on this record suggests that it couldn't have been titled any better because much like a Satellite it represents the spacey direction the band have headed in, not to mention the fact that it will propel them to new heights and help them broadcast their music worldwide in the months to come.