The CD pressing of "Elil", the second full-length from UK act Fall of Efrafa, was released late last year by a trio of international labels: Halo of Flies (US), Sound Devastation Records (UK), and Alerta Antifascista (Germany). This is my first exposure to the band's work, which is apparently "based loosely around a re-imagining of the mythological and political overtones in the book 'Watership Down', by Richard Adams". I'm not familiar with the book, but the band's bio outlines more specifically how their records (which are part of a trilogy called "The Warren of Snares") are tied into some of its concepts.
There are only three songs on the entire album, but be not misled, because each track surpasses the 20-minute mark, and the band certainly has it right when stating that they "write very long, epic, heavy, melancholic, melodic songs; taking influence from post-rock, post-metal, D-beat hardcore, etc." It takes nearly seven minutes for distortion to kick in for the first time, and they really do transition effortlessly from driving His Hero is Gone-esque hardcore/punk rhythms to more dissonant and spacious twists ala Cult of Luna or more recent Burst, etc.—and from there to softer clean breaks or plodding, bass-centric runs, the occasional use of samples, and even a few beautiful acoustic passages. There are definitely quite a few lengthy instrumental segments in the tracks, but I have to say that the songwriting is far stronger than you'd expect given the sheer length of each composition. They make great use of the time, and manage to keep things interesting throughout—and they generally do so without making each 20-minute song feel like just a bunch of shorter songs strung together, you know? There's obviously a lot of thought and effort being put into how all of the different atmospheric elements piece together, and thankfully they stray from most of the typical characteristics of "post-" genre influences. You can certainly pick up on some of those elements, but the band keeps most of their tones warm and stripped down, favoring a more natural sense of texture and space as opposed to dousing everything in effects or what have you. And it is pretty epic shit, I must say. There are some really powerful buildups and I'm really liking what's going on here as a whole. This is an intelligent band that has something to say, and they're doing so in a pretty curious manner.
Fall of Efrafa "For el Ahrairah to Cry" (excerpt)
Man built god creates the veil. It hangs before us all and waits. Those who choose its warm caress, dignify this empty fate. Angelic mythos cracked in the kiln. Shards embedded in the mouths of liars. Charged nature as unfit, disfigured the sanctity of love, tore down all that is good, all that is whole...
The disc is packaged in a simple gatefold digipack that includes the lyrics and song explanations, as well as a decent-sized foldout "poster" of sorts, and is also available on double-LP (with alternate artwork, I believe). Very cool. I'll have to keep an eye out for more from these guys for sure...
Comments
I just picked this up myself a couple weeks ago. I haven’t had the chance to spin it that much but I’m definitely diggin’ it. I’m enjoying their raw and stripped down approach which allows for all their passion and intensity to rip its way through and pummel everything in its path. Very refreshing after hearing so many of these types of bands put layer upon layer of processed sound and noise on top of each other to the point where you just feel claustrophobic. This has a much more organic feel.
6.16.2008 | By Anonymous
It seems like the HHIG/Tragedy bands are dime a dozen these days - by no means is this a complaint. I love this style of music and when it’s done correctly it can be musically/emotionally devastating. For more atmospheric punk I would recommend Drain the Sky on the always consistent - Life is Abuse recs. While I’m not completly sold on the vocals (which is that monotone style that neurosis is fond of), the music is decent enough. Speaking of Life is Abuse, did anyone happen to check out the new Dystopia album? While I’m on the topic of atypical punkrock, check out Nux Vomica and Oroku. Ghastly City Sleep is another band I have to get off my chest. Similar to J. Bannon they escape classification with their dark, foreboding style. If you have the time - I highly recommend them.
6.16.2008 | By paul
i had their first record for a while and you could see where they were going with their music,concept records need to have something to live up to the idea behind the music, and they have already managed to do that. love all the names and words from the book, in the songs. could easily come off as horribly cheesy, but works really well with the neurosis/cult of luna vibe. On this record they’ve almost reinvented themselves, which is great because that sub genre of a sub genre “neo crust” is flogged to death. Fortunately they don’t sound like tragedy.
6.17.2008 | By rodimus prime
From a distance (unbiased description) Fall of Efrafa could raise some serious warning signs of pretentiousness. I think it’s great that they pull their concepts off so sincerely. It’s rare that I feel like listening to an epic d-beat-type band, but when I do hit that mood, this record does the trick nicely.
As far as the recommendations above… I love the new Dystopia (!) and the new Drain the Sky LP (Level Plane Recs) is just amazing!. Although it’s nothing terribly novel, the new Acursed LP shreds some shit up too.
Other bands that are doing interesting work: Squalora, Walls, The Russian Circles..
6.17.2008 | By Batguano
Andrew, check out Birushanah also
6.17.2008 | By Erik@teetthofthedivine
Like Paul, I’m not really sold on the vocals here, but everything else is pretty killer. Recommended. Oh, and Andrew…you should go ahead and read “Watership Down.” I just bought it after ordering this record based on another review/recommendation and realizing I’d never read it. For a book with talking rabbits, it’s quite excellent.
Oh, and FYI: The vinyl version does have really nice packaging…one side of vinyl for each song (obviously) and the last side (“D” I guess) has a nice etching.
6.17.2008 | By Grist
glad you took some recomendations. I’m thinking you might like the first one too, it’s a bit more straightforward.
Check out the new AmenRa record too.
6.28.2008 | By Stevhan the invincible