*TFoT is a bit hard to classify, but melodic metalcore/indie punk is probably the closest I can describe it
The Fall Of Troy are
Thomas Erak: Guitar/Vocals
Tim Ward: Bass/Backup Vocals
Andrew Forsman: Drums
The Fall Of Troy are a relatively new and unknown band in the hardcore/metalcore genre, but I can safely say they are one of the most talented and original in their league.
In essence they're a metalcore band, but they're sound is far from the usual. They mix in some grind, solos, progressive elements and that reminiscent indie punk sound, with a LOT of singing parts, making them strangely yet beautifully melodic.
The closest band that sounds like them is probably At The Drive-In, only a lot faster and louder, minus the uber weird lyrics. Don't get me wrong. Thomas Erak is no Omar Rodriguez nor Tim Ward another Cedric Bixler, but they manage to grasp that unique ATDi indie punk sound at the same time being fresh and original.
The Rush-stlye lineup is very impressive, Andrew Forsman keeps up with the other two with a semi-grind style of drumming in most songs, varies his lines every now and then to keep you sucked in. Tim Ward does all the bass and vocal stuff, which he is very versatile in. His solid screams suddenly shifts to singing mode, without much of an effort. The transition is very well done, being intense in one moment and smooth in the next. I guess the best of the three is Thomas Erak. He is just plain f*cking tight. It's his well calculated solos and riffs that make them so diverse in the genre department. His lines aren't that complicated, but they really complement in the subtlety of their songs(think Mike Einziger).
Sorry if the review's a bit biased, they're my favorite right now and I hope I can get many people into them. This is my first review too, so comments are very much appreciated.
Track by Track:
1. Rockstar Nailbomb (2:02) - Starts off with 4 drumstick taps, and Tim's intense screams joins the barrage. A great album opener, this song is very fast, thanks to Thomas' lightning-fast riffs. A good introduction but not yet all that TFoT has to offer.
4/5
2. Spartacus (1:15) - This song is a mix of short melodic and aggressive bursts, the screech near the end is a bit creepy. This track is more like a filler song than anything else, but still good.
3/5
3. The Circus That Brought Us Back To These Nights(Yo Chocola) (3:09) - Ahh.. the first highlight of the album. The ATDi sound kicks in, sort of tribal/native drums in some parts. It has some of that emo quality too(good or bad, depending on your taste). Screams are a bit more desperate than intense. I like it very much
5/5
4. Mouths Like Sidewinder Missiles (3:51) - A very start-stop track. He screams fast, then sings. Very very nice. The singing only lasts for a while, then instruments take command until the end. Guitar stands out as usual. If you like a bit of jamming, this one is perfect.
5/5
5. The Last March Of The Ents (2:59) - Another one of those of those brash, distortion filled openings. This is one of the louder, faster tracks in the album. Still good. "'Father please come home!' But what she doesn't know yet, DADDY'S AS GOOD AS DEAD!!!". Very amusing.
4/5
6. F.C.P.S.I.T.S.G.E.P.G.E.P.G.E.P. (4:40) - This is probably the most melodic and accesible song in here. Guitars aren't distorted that much, with Tim singing in the majority of the song. Sort of formulaic, it's bit far sounding from the others. If there was a single off this album, this would be it.
4/5
7. Whacko Jacko Steals The Elephant Man's Bones (4:51) - Faint drumming in the background, then everything else comes in. Still a very good song, but it sounds kinda like a random mix of everything else on the album. The part near the end is great though, very turbulent, the screams are very much like Jacob Bannon's.
4/5
8. Reassurance Rests In The Sea (3:58) - My favorite track. A loud track, at the same time very melodic. Thomas really rips out his skills throughout the song, just fantastic. It has a very catchy chorus too. Solos dominate the bridge, soft at first then things get interesting. F*ckin' A!!
5/5
9. The Adventures Of Allan Gordon (4:06) - i find this one to be a bit boring compared to the other great songs. Same ideas and lines are somewhat recycled here. I wouldn't say it's a failure, but it's the weakest song on the album, IMO.
2.5/5
10. I Just Got This Symphony Goin' (4:14) - Wow, insanely catchy intro leads to.. insanely catchy verse and insanely catchy chorus. The energy goes up again by a few notches. Another good song to get into The Fall Of Troy. You won't get tired of it easily. "SCREAM OUT MY NAME!!!"
4/5
11. What Sound Does A Mastodon Make? (7:12) - The big mo' fo' finale, sums up most of the album, but manages to stand out from the rest, sort of an epic. Very proggy here, even funny female vocals come in a part. This is one of my favorites too, a lot of variety here. The guitar absolutely shines. The best track, TFoT pulls out all the stops here, everything is just topnotch, there are no signs of them getting tired. Soft strumming concludes it.
CONS:
If you're a "..but I want to hear what the hell he's talking about!" kinda guy, you probably won't like the vocals that much. The bass gets a bit overshadowed by the other two instruments most of the time, but it very much contributes to the heaviness of the tracks. Some songs end up sounding the same too, which is ok, but a softer track to take some breaks would be nice.
..But overall, I don't have much to complain about. The Fall Of Troy definitely has something to offer to everyone, their sound is not entirely groundbreakingly new, but it's a welcome breath of fresh air in an era of bands sounding the same. Top it all off with one hell of a DIY production, and you have yourselves a winner ladies and gentlemen.
4.5/5
