FALL OF TROY, THE „Doppelganger”

Music: Unclassifiable Progressive Screamo
Country: USA
Website: http://www.thefalloftroy.com
Duration: 44.38


Cool Songs: F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X, I Just Got This Symphony Goin’, “You Got A Death Wish, Johnny Truant?”, The Hol[ ]y Tape, Tom Waits

From the opening strains of ‘Just Got This Symphony Goin’ it is patently obvious that we’re dealing with something a little different here; and rather special. Yep, this new disc from Seattle’s ‘The Fall of Troy’ is going to cause more than a few ripples in the Screamo/Hardcore scene. Fucking hell, I’m not even sure if that’s the right genre, such is the ease that ‘Troy’ destroys all boundaries. This album has its foot in just about every pigeon hole associated with music and as a result it will have extremely wide appeal.

For the purpose of this review and for the readers of what is predominately a metal based webzine, think of ‘The Fall of Troy’ as some sort of progressive screamo/emo act that rides a perfectly balanced line between melody and chaos. There is a musical experimentation going on here that will have even the most hardened music fan listening with unbridled intent. ‘The Fall of Troy’ is all about ignoring convention; it’s about providing an alternate perspective on heavy music; it’s about throwing the rule book out the window and starting afresh. If you are looking for something other than ‘formula’ based rock, ‘The Fall of Troy’ is your band. They hate formula, hell they hate simple chord progressions. ‘Doppleganger’ is almost ‘chord-free’ if that is at all possible. If that conjures up images of a convoluted mess, you’d be surprised to know that, somehow, this THREE-PIECE (another fact that defies the material laid down here) is able to keep it all together and provide the listener with some of the more interesting song writing and musicianship since The Mars Volta turned your progressive rock world upside down.

The Mars Volta call isn’t exactly too far off the mark either. Throw them in with the likes of Coheed and Cambria, The DEP and The Blood Brothers; add a playful melodic component and you start to get the picture. But still you just have to hear these guys, because seriously some of this shit is insane. It’s technical and thoroughly break-neck at times, plus at its core ‘Doppleganger’ has one of the most ridiculously talented guitarists in the game taking the whole album to another stratosphere. This is the clincher folks.

As much as this disc comes across as a thoroughly compact and cohesive band effort, it is the talents of one Thomas Erak that makes ‘The Fall of Troy’ such an amazing band. If you’ve never heard this band before, be assured that it is not only the PROMINENCE of Erak’s guitar that will strike you down like a baseball bat to the head, but his style, his PLAYING will have you picking the proverbial jaw off the floor. Erak has lightning speed fingers – not one millimetre of his fret board remains untouched. His intricate note play is simply phenomenal, more solo than riffs (in fact ‘Doppleganger’ is solo-ridden!!), Erak tonal/atonal combinations will have all budding guitarists shaking their heads. If you though all guitar ideas were exhausted, Erak puts up the case against. Incredibly his bands compositions have a real sense of song about them. They’re out there man, no question, progressive and experimental (with the right mix of melody and dissonance), but still as songs they stand up. Furthermore, Erak also does the vocals – a wicked combination of screamo/clean emo unlike you’ve ever heard (there are NO choruses on this album).Oh…and I almost forgot, like his two offsiders – Tim Ward (bass/vocals) and Andrew Forsman (drums) – Erak is only 19!! WTF??

‘Doppleganger’ is the bands debut album for Equal Vision records. However, as some long time fans have pointed out, it is actually a mixture of song older material and some new. Yep, before their 17th birthdays, TFOT recorded their first full-length, a self-titled release on Lujo Records. With the signing to EVR, it is clear that the band and label are keen to present ‘Doppleganger’ as a new beginning and true representation of their sound and style. As such, DG features 4 songs from their first full length, 3 re-recorded demos and 4 new tracks. Some diehard ‘Troy’ buffs have aired their disappointment at this move, but as a new listener you’d be hard pressed to spot the difference between new and old. It ALL sounds freaking incredible!!

If you are at all interested in experimentation and unique progressiveness in your heavy music – backed up with simply outstanding musicianship – then ‘The Fall of Troy’ cannot be ignored. Just contemplating what sort of music this band will be inventing when they’re 25 is mind boggling. No doubt, just like ‘Doppleganger’ it’ll do your head in.

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. I Just Got This Symphony Goin’
2. Act One, Scene One
3. F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.
4. “You Got A Death Wish, Johnny Truant?”
5. Mouths Like Sidewinder Missiles
6. The Hol[ ]y Tape
7. Laces Out, Dan!
8. We Better Learn To Hotwire A Uterus
9. Whacko Jacko Steals The Elephant Man’s Bones
10. Tom Waits
11. Macaulay McCulkin