Holy shit, I love it when something like this happens, though it's rare. But Fear Before the March of Flames may have just placed themselves within the "Most Improved Band of All Time" category. I very specifically remember that I practically hated their debut CD a few years ago, and I got a few angry emails regarding a couple of lines from my review of said debut, such as, "I am sick of listening to/watching a bunch of hipster fucking losers with bad haircuts and tight clothes squirm around like Mick Jagger in withdrawal screaming and squawking like fucking chickens," and, "the musicians in this band should seriously consider beating their singer to the ground with no remorse should he refuse to can the squealing." Hey, give me a break, it was an annoying CD, alright? I didn't mean they should literally beat the guy!
But thankfully none of that matters anymore. Their second record was a minor improvement, and "The Always Open Mouth" (Equal Vision Records) proves that the third time's a fucking charm, because this barely even sounds like the same band anymore, and completely eclipses everything about their past efforts across the board. I can't remember the last time I went from hating a band to finding them awesome, but that's the case here, no doubt. 15 tracks ranging from one to five minutes and covering all sorts of ground from crushingly heavy and borderline caustic intensity to atypically arranged chord progressions that fuse melody and dissonance to bizarrely spacious riffing and layering that creates sinister atmospheres reminiscent of Converge or Cave In during their most formidable years, but given strangely avant-garde facelifts. Plus, there are plenty of dark rhythmic pulses and noisy excursions accented by dense smatterings of tactful electronics, and the vocals are all over the place from layered shouting, singing, and spoken passages to whacked out effects and whatnot—all of which is far more effective than their past efforts. It's somewhat of an impossible task to categorize this band now, and that's very cool. This is an excellent fucking record.
Fear Before the March of Flames "Drowning the Old Hag"
Fear Before the March of Flames "The Waiting Makes Me Curious"
The packaging on this thing is fucking ridiculous, too. And I mean that in a good way. The booklet is huge and contains tons of metallic silver ink that creates some interesting layering effects, and the cover is printed on transparent acetate to continue the whole layering thing. Insane. Very, very recommended. I'm totally shocked and impressed. Pick this shit up:
Comments
i have enjoyed this band for years now. and i also agree that this is definitly their greatest acheivement yet. as much as i enjoyed their last record i have to say this is much more unique and memorable. i didnt think i would like this as much without the screaming but low and behold i fucking love it. i dont think ive heard anything quite like this before, and i only hope the band keeps evolving in this vein. all around great.
10.10.2006 | By chris
all i can say is the track above is A LOT BETTER than their previous “art damage”
i got to hear the whole album to change my opinion about this band
10.10.2006 | By reno
This is a great album. I actually bought Art Damage on a whim at Planet Music… played it in the car on the way home and threw it in the dumpster between the parking lot and my apartment door. This is definetly a major improvement over past material. I couldnt agree more with you.
10.10.2006 | By Anonymous
Holy sleek album covers batman! Okay I went ahead and bought this album last night and the verdict is out: Its way different then their last stuff and…...way better. The sound is very clean, sleek, well recorded and still raw. I think it was clear from the start that this band had something. From their album green abstract album covers (art damage), titles, and band name they showed early signs of promise. The only department this band lacked was the actual songwriting pretty much sucked. But “the always open mouth” is intriguing and different in that their creative ability finally reached their song-writing realm. Its also a good statement because it does not fit the mold of what all the kids will be expecting at the shows they play. This is an album that some people might have a hard time understanding at first, but it shows alot of promise and will grow in time.
10.12.2006 | By Voltage Tower
Just picked this up today, and it’s amazing. I loved both their other albums, too, but this one is just incredible on a whole new level.
10.13.2006 | By Calvin
I saw these guys last night with BTBAM and Mis Sigs. As far as the music goes it’s ok. However, while on stage the singer had his faced sliced open by his own bassist! Then had the ovaries to insult the crowd by calling us the most boring audience he’d ever seen. WTF? Needless to say, middle fingers were strewn about the crowd.
11.4.2006 | By Adrianoso