A Tragedy's Bitter End

Beautiful, atmospheric, heavy, and melancholic: these are the best words to describe the first release from the Fallen.

First off the production is phenomenal and allows the listener to hear everything which is important due to multiple sonic layers within. This is a simple three piece of guitar, keyboard and drums. The lack of bass isn’t noticeable due to the sheer heaviness of the guitars.

The guitars are thick, heavy, and the distortion levels couldn’t be better. There are a few leads but no solos. The drums and minimalistic but tight, the way that they are played leaves one to suspect that Eek is definitely holding back. The keyboards are lush and atmospheric. There are some classical moments and two songs that are just piano.

The vocals are very low, deeper in fact than Peter Steels’ (Type-O-Negative) or even Till Lindemanns’ (Rammstein). They sound augmented in some parts as if music had been played faster during the recording and then during the mastering slowed down. This isn’t to say they are bad, but they are clean and that is certainly a change considering that all Funeral Doom bands utilize Death vocals.

In conclusion, this is a moving piece of music. This band takes Funeral Doom to a new level as it’s not overly (or really for that matter) dark. The music is majestic and despair ridden.