Arguably, the post-hardcore genre is one that’s filling up fast – often with recycled-sounding material – which leaves stand-out bands a smaller chance of being noticed. However, it’s not hard to see that Italian quintet Fall of Minerva will cast some light on this. With atmospheric instrumental soundscapes and hard-hitting vocals, their debut full-length ‘Portraits’ does what it says on the tin and delivers.
Opening with ‘Beyond the Pines’, you’re welcomed into a world reminiscent of a mixture of early Pianos Become the Teeth and The Elijah as ethereal guitar tones ring out before pangs of poignant lyrics are projected. Following this is the heavier ‘Novocaine’, carried by more notable heavy percussion and moments of tremolo guitar which is always a bonus in my books. An incredibly powerful track, surprisingly emphasised by the nails-on-a-chalkboard screeching noise which comes midway through. Another stand-out, the melodic ‘Green Ghost’ is a soothing melancholic number well worth replaying.
The record continues consistently with a main shining feature being the use of infectious guitar melodies and cleverly paced percussive elements. However, the eighth track ‘Sguardi nel Buio’ comes as a pleasant break for the album as it makes for a vocal-less, peaceful first few minutes of ambience, but later turning into macabre violin symphonies – pretty eerie stuff. The penultimate track ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ abruptly kicks in with its structurally good yet slightly filler-esque nature as there’s not a particular part that sticks in the mind afterwards. Closing on the well-rounded ‘Ask the River’, they’ve shown exactly what they’re all about.
Fall Of Minerva have not been afraid to experiment with their influences in this ten-track record, putting on an impressive front and breathing life into an arguably unoriginal genre.
4/5
’Portraits’ by Fall Of Minerva is released on March 25th on Basick Records.
Fall Of Minerva links: Facebook|Twitter
Words by Phoebe Messenger (@kangaezu_)
