New Album From The Fall of Troy
Young Rockers Grow Up While Still Hanging Onto Signature Sound
Oct 14, 2009
Doppelganger (2005) and Manipulator (2007), the first two major releases from the Washington-based band were heavy on the shredding and tempo-shifting breakdowns. The chaotic fretwork of guitarist and lead vocalist Thomas Erak sets the tone; one second the band is flying through a double-time solo section and theyn they quickly switch to a breakdown accentuated by blood-curdling screams and thrashing riffs.
Erak is not the only screamer. Former bassist Tim Ward added to the chaos and allowed to Erak croon with his clean vocals. These guys never stayed on one idea too long, instead jerking the listener around for three or four minutes with constant change.
A Change is Made - From Tim Ward to Frank Ene
As previously stated, Tim Ward exited the band and was replaced by Frank Ene in late 2007. Still capable of the screams but more evolved as a bassist, Ene's addition made for the evolved sound on this record. Having seen these guys live with Ene, the energy and musicality is even more powerful.
In The Unlikely Event features new harmonies, melodic ideas, and song structures previously unseen from this band. Original fans of TFOT will still know what band they are listening to, but a few of the turns may surprise. The jaw-dropping technicality is still present and screams are still bountiful, but there is a sense that these guys are maturing as a band.
The New Sound - Harmonies and Drums
The track "A Classic Case of Transference" exhibits the new harmonies and melodies but also the typical sixteenth-note laden drum accents and riffs. The breakdowns are not as bountiful, which makes them even more powerful when the band throws them in. "Single" continues this trend with a mellower sound and background vocals but there is still the edge that sets this band apart.
The songs are more concise with less meandering. Don't worry, tracks like "Dirty Pillow Talk" still feature the screams and instrumental sections that TFOT listeners are used to. Protest the Hero vocalist Rody Walker lends his voice to this track, offering a guttural yet refined inflection not too far off from Erak. "Straight-Jacket Keelhauled" captures their classic sound, containing all of their signatures in a two and a half minute explosion.
The Fall of Troy : Experimental?
If anything ,The Fall of Troy are more experimental on this album, going for different sounds and vibes they have not attempted before. Supersonic is not the only tempo available and these guys have picked that lesson up.
The blistering pace that flowed through their first two albums has been scaled back on In The Unlikely Event, leaving more to soak in. Much of this can be attributed to producer and engineer Terry Date. With an impressive catalog featuring artists like Pantera, Soundgarden, The Deftones, and Dredg, Date has worked with some of the leading rock artists in the industry. Drummer Andrew Forsman, in an interview with Absolutepunk.net, summed up what Date offers. "I think Terry is better at looking at the whole picture of the song" said Forsman, adding that Date's unique approach and perspective helped form the songwriting.
Overall, this record sees a mellower and matured The Fall of Troy. Fans of their old albums will still hear the classic screams, distortion, and erratic solos and instrumental breakdowns. The music is cleaner, creative, and more evolved on their new disc. Erak flexes his clean vocals on this album and finds a fuller sound with a stronger rhythm section. This album is an easy recommendation.
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