Fallen Eight is a Paris based quintet reminding all of the strength of the French underground metal scene right now. The band recently released debut EP Rise & Grow, a collection of songs gripping ears whilst being fuelled by attention grabbing potential. It offers six tracks which at times ignite the passions and in other moments leaves ears merely richly satisfied with the band’s unsurprising yet refreshing metal bred exploits, but from its opening second to its rousing last it only sparks a want to hear more.
Formed towards the rear of 2011 in Seine et Marne, Fallen Eight quickly set to writing and honing a sound merging the rousing essences of extreme and melodic metal with those of heavy rock. Within a year, they had the Paris music scene in their sights as locally they continued to be a potent live presence. Playing their first shows in the capital from 2013, Fallen Eight has gone from strength to strength in sound and support found, getting to the final stage of FallenFest that same year. The next year saw the band work on their first demo and open up for Black Bomb A while 2015 saw a line-up change within the band; vocalist Clément, lead guitarist Medy, and drummer JP joined by guitarist Florian and bassist Joffrey. That year ended with Fallen Eight having supported The Arrs and preparing for the release of Rise & Grow, which now is sparking a keen fuss and its initial teaser in the shape of the single Final Shot.
The EP opens with a bang, the band setting its stall out in sound and quality straight away with Reborn. From an initial vocal cry, quickly surrounded by feisty riffs and senses whipping rhythms, the track rumbles and growls; attitude and ferocity swift hues to the early Skindred like air of the song. Almost as quickly its character evolves and expands as the band sweep across the senses with melodic tenacity without defusing their almost post hardcore meets melodic metalcore confrontation. Clément’s vocals impress as much as the musical craft and imagination revealed by the band, all combining for a powerful and thickly engaging opening to Rise & Grow.
There is certainly some very familiar textures and essences to the song and indeed EP, but something to embrace as another flavour rather than admonish a song for as shown with Come From The Sky. Initially the second song caustically bellows with raw throated vocals to the fore but is soon in the process of weaving in clean harmonics and melodic imagination, subsequently alternating the contrasts thereon in. Whether the coarse vocals attack is also from Clément we cannot tell, the diversity suggests not, but whatever it is a major part of the band’s success and the enthralling tapestry of songs.
Leaving a Linkin Park feel in its wake, the excellent track is soon eclipsed by the EP’s best track, Final Shot. Its rhythms and riffs border the carnivorous, grooves and sonic enterprise the seductive, and all orchestrated by the outstanding and rousing vocal incitement of all involved. Listening to the track, you can visualise audiences swelling and rising as one to the track’s incendiary chorus alone, and especially the anthemic line incorporating the its title.
In some ways the EP is a proposal of two parts, the first trio of songs inciting the biggest reactions in personal tastes though that does not stop Breath Of The Ages making a powerful impact and keeping enjoyment on a lofty plateau. It just seems like the uniqueness of ideas are slimmer and less striking in the final trio, a spark missing, but as the fourth track reveals as it comes close to matching its predecessors, creative drama is as open and fascinating as ever. The irritability in sound and nature of the song is another virulent lure too with the vocals and individual prowess of all shining through.
Light prowls the senses next, its first riffs and grooves predatory before being reined in by a bluesy spicing to grooves and hooks as the band share some Avenged Sevenfold flavoured classic and heavy metal resourcefulness. It too has ears and appetite hooked before Worst Nightmare brings the release to a raw and ravenous close. The most aggressive and tempestuous track on the EP, its shows that Fallen Eight can savage the senses as skilfully and eagerly as they can seduce them with melodic imagination.
It is a fine end to a richly pleasing encounter from a band with the potential to indeed Rise & Grow to big things.
Rise & Grow is out now through most online stores.
https://www.facebook.com/FallenEight https://twitter.com/FallenEightBand
Pete RingMaster 05/05/2016
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