Album Type:
Full-length
Date Released:
October
20th
2014 / December 2nd
2014 - USA
Label: Apathia
Records & Hipsterminator Records.
Fall In Line
- Tracklisting
1.We Are Orphans
03:11
2.Cyclops 05:24
3.Modern idiot 04:02
4.Moloch 06:00
5.Delusion Junction
02:18
6.Doppelgänger
02:31
7.Monkey On My Back
06:14
8.Loquèle 03:48
9.Je Ferai De Ma
Peau Une Terre Où Creuser 08:01
Members
Isaac:
Vocals/Lyrics
Etienne:
Guitar/Backing vocals
Quentin:
Guitar/Backing vocals
François:
Bass/Backing vocals
Romain:
Drums/Backing vocals
Review:
Hailing
from Poitiers, France, this is Zapruder’s debut LP, following a
2012 EP “Straight from the Horse’s Mouth”. They plough a
similar furrow to fellow countrymen, Anorak, and Swiss powerhouse,
Kruger, mixing Cult of Luna style post metal, the early-2000s
“metalcore” (before that was a dirty word) of Norma Jean and a
bit of latter day Dillinger Escape Plan’s mix of chaotic riffing
and straight up rock n’ roll swagger. Taking this combination as a
foundation, they then throw in a few more unusual elements, which
aren’t always a complete triumph, but serve to set them apart from
their peers and make them an interesting proposition.
The
band set out their stall in style with opener “We are Orphans”,
focusing on the more rock’n’roll end of their spectrum, with the
fierce, barked vocals of Isaac Ruder in full effect from the outset.
Things get more interesting on “Cyclops” which continues the good
work of the first track and then slows things down to a doomier,
spacier vibe overlaid with some free form, discordant lead guitar
that sounds like a squealing violin. The lead guitars on this album
are one of the elements that really set it apart from the many bands
out there, labelled as post metal. Most tend to rely on melodic
guitar lines and riffs and avoid anything like “lead guitar” or
solos, but there are a number of instances on this album where
guitarists, Etienne Arrivé and Quentin Cacault, really abuse their
instruments in order to make a joyous racket as opposed to anything
melodious – it works a treat.
Zapruder’s
relentless quest to try their hand at a number of genres is not
always a success though. “Modern Idiot” begins in satisfying
style similar to “We are Orphans” but falls into trouble with a
brief outburst of gang vocals over some generic hardcore chugging
which then gives way to an entirely unexpected and frankly, unwanted
funk section. People may try and tell you differently, but deep down
everyone knows funk and metal should never collide.
Fortunately
the subsequent track “Moloch” is a belter and makes you quickly
forget what went before. Probably the slowest and heaviest track on
the album, it also features some quieter more atmospheric passages,
reminiscent of “Fire in our Throats…”-era Pelican, giving way
to soaring heaviness, akin to Japanese titans – Envy, and then
rounding things off with a bit of crushing riffage. Nice.
“Delusion
Junction” is the mid-point of the album and acts as much-needed
breathing space. A short instrumental, consisting of clean, delayed
guitars overlaid with saxophone and clarinet. It gives the overall
effect of a stoned mariachi band or an attempt to evoke the minimal,
dustbowl atmosphere of recent Earth. It’s a great track, a style
and sound I’d like to hear the band expand on in future.
Short
and sweet, “Doppelgänger” starts the second section of the album
off in blistering fashion with some furious, chaotic riffing overlaid
with some great unhinged, spaced-out guitar work. This continues into
the squealing slide attack intro to “Monkey on My Back”. This
attack continues into the second half of the track as the tempo drops
and the band degenerate into a swirling cauldron of doomy noise and
distant chanting.
Proceedings
take an unexpected turn with “Loquèle”. Following the two most
furious tracks of the album with an acoustic ballad sounds like a
horrendous idea on paper, but is strangely successful in practice. To
a backdrop of just acoustic guitar, subtle electronic beats and
bleary, washed-out saxophone, guitarist Quentin Cacault steps up to
the mic for clean vocal duties. This offers a complete contrast to
the rest of the album and would have made a satisfying conclusion to
“Fall in Line”.
The
album concludes, however, with “Je Ferai De Ma Peau Une Terre Où
Creuser”, which for me is the most disappointing track on the
record. Clocking in at 8 minutes, it’s the longest track here, but
also the most pedestrian. Whereas the previous 8 tracks keep things
interesting by mixing together a lot of, sometimes disparate,
elements to make a cohesive whole and avoid conventional quiet/loud,
build/release song structures, this track for the most part feels
like a self-conscious effort at a slow burning epic and suffers for
it. The guitar work is a lot more tasteful here too, in stark
contrast to some of the more out-there and distinctive parts that
really lit up previous tracks. The worst offender is some mid-pace
melodic tapping of the kind favoured by the vast horde of generic,
self-styled post rock or math rock bands at the moment. Things pick
up for the end of the track though, when the pace and volume drops
for a more subdued climax which shares a little of the atmosphere of
“Delusion Junction” but with clean, melodic vocals in place of
saxophone and clarinet.
Overall,
“Fall in Line” is a promising debut from Zapruder, throwing
together lots of different styles and ideas which don’t always
work, but make for an unpredictable and engaging listen. Hopefully
they can make it over to the UK in the near future as I reckon they
would be great live.
Words
by Charlie Butler
Thanks
to Jehan at Apathia Records. Fall In Line is available to buy from
October 20th 2014 and December 02nd 2014 in
USA.
For
more information
