Memphis May Fire – Shapeshifter Album Review

Memphis May Fire return with the release of their newest album “Shapeshifter“, released 28th March 2025 under Rise Records. “Shapeshifter” is a follow-on from the 2022 album, “Remade in Misery“. Memphis May Fire originally formed in 2006 in Denton, Texas and have worked through a variety of member switches; their current lineup consists of Matty Mullins (vocals), Kellen McGregor (guitar), Cory Elder (bass), and Jake Garland (drums).

The highly anticipated album unfortunately has a very short run time of 30 minutes 8 seconds, making it a convenient short listen; however, I feel that it could have been longer for a 10-track album. It felt that it was over and listened to very quickly, with this being the first album to be released since 2022; it felt a little bit of a disappointment in terms of ‘content’ to the album.

Notable tracks on this album for me are “Chaotic”, “Overdose”, “Paralysed” and “The Other Side”. In fact, I’d even go so far as to say that I had “Chaotic” stuck in my head for a good 5 hours after listening to this album with its catchy hooks and riffs, alongside a healthy small addition of the occasional “blegh”. God, we love a good “Blegh”. I would like to note that the album has some amazing breakdowns throughout, some absolute beauties of ones, in fact. I won’t spoil where exactly, as when they drop, they drop hard, and it’s simply an audible experience that should be experienced through adventuring and not being directed too. However, I will say it’s in one of the ones on the album is a mentioned song in this article.

One track I feel that I should give a shout-out to is “Love is War”, which is also the closing track of the album.

Overall, I’d say the album is superb; Memphis May Fire have remained true to their metalcore roots whilst still adapting some melodic elements. As a band as a whole, they have shown their ability to push forward through multiple lineup changes and come out stronger. I feel I would have been able to award it a 10/10 if it had just been a little bit longer as an album; as stated, with a 30-minute run time for a 10-track album, it feels on the shorter side of listening, and I feel it could have possibly fared with a few longer songs or an additional song.

Score 9/10

Tracklist: 

1. Chaotic

2. Infection

3. Overdose

4. Paralysed

5. Hell Is Empty

6. Necessary Evil

7. The Other Side

8. Shapeshifter

9. Versus

10. Love Is War
Label: Rise Records

Release: 28th March 2025.

For all things Memphis May Fire click  HERE and to purchase the album, click HERE