In Hopes That The Past Will Fade – World In Arms’ Underrated Metalcore Gem
World In Arms didn’t waste time tiptoeing around with their 2009 debut In Hopes That The Past Will Fade. This raw, unfiltered slab of American metalcore punches you in the gut and doesn’t let up. Released independently under "Not On Label," it’s got that DIY grit that makes you feel like you’re listening to something real—no gimmicks, no corporate polish. Just pure aggression wrapped up in 13 tracks of chaos.
The album kicks off strong with “An Anchor Amongst The Waves”, a track so heavy it feels like drowning—but in the best way possible. You know when music hits hard enough to make your chest hurt? Yeah, that’s this song. It’s relentless, switching between punishing breakdowns and soaring melodies faster than you can catch your breath. The vocals are a mix of venomous screams and desperate cleans, like they’re trying to rip out their own soul just to show you how much this means. When I hear this one, I’m reminded why I fell in love with metalcore in the first place—it’s not about perfection; it’s about passion bleeding through every note.
Then there’s “I Smoke Fools Like You On The B-Ball Court”, which is probably the most ridiculous title ever but somehow works. Don’t let the name fool ya—it’s brutal as hell. The riffs hit harder than an elbow to the face during a mosh pit, and the drumming sounds like machine gun fire on steroids. It’s cocky, pissed-off, and chaotic all at once, kinda like getting trash-talked by someone who actually backs it up. And yeah, it shows up twice on the album, because apparently once wasn’t enough to get the point across. By the second playthrough, you’ll either hate it or love it—I lean toward loving it.
Tracks like “Perspective Meets Pavement” and “Self-Inflicted Scars” keep the energy high, blending introspective lyrics with crushing instrumentals. But honestly, if you’re looking for subtlety here, you’re barking up the wrong tree. This album isn’t meant to be overthought—it’s meant to be felt. It’s messy, loud, and imperfect, but damn if it doesn’t leave a mark.
What sticks with me most about In Hopes That The Past Will Fade is its refusal to conform. World In Arms weren’t chasing trends—they were too busy pouring everything they had into these songs. Listening to this record now feels like finding an old demo tape from a band that never got the recognition they deserved. Maybe that’s fitting though. After all, isn’t the best art often the stuff nobody expects?
So crank this sucker up, bang your head until your neck hurts, and remember: sometimes the past fades only when you scream loud enough to drown it out. Or maybe...just maybe...it fades when you realize you’ve been listening to the same two tracks on repeat for hours. Whoops.
