Wednesday 25 November 2015

Colossus Fall - "Hidden Into Details" (Album Review)

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 02/09/2015
Label: Independent


Restless, spidery riffs fire from all angles, powered by a jackhammer rhythm section and bolstered by aggressive, barked vocals (top marks for the excellent belch in “Bulleye” too). Colossus Fall negotiates their way through off-kilter time signatures and frenetic fret mangling without being wilfully difficult. A strong foundation of groove and straight head-nodding riffage is maintained throughout, which is all the more effective when contrasted with the surrounding chaos.

“Hidden Into Details” CD//DD track listing:

1. Rise of Adrenaline
2. The Errorist
3. Visions of Inhumanity
4. Bullseyes
5. Disgusting Secrets
6. Kabuki -
歌舞伎
7. (We were) Gatekeepers
8. Nonversation
9. F.A:T: (Bonus Track) 

The Review:

Something about Switzerland seems to inspire metal bands to explore the more mathematical end of the heavy spectrum. The likes of Knut, Kruger, Nostromo and Coilguns have all delivered gold-standard riffing of mind-bending complexity and their influence can be felt on “Hidden Into Details”, the debut album from Geneva’s Colossus Fall.

Busting into life with the aptly titled “Rise of Adrenaline”, the band barely pause for breath over the next 30 minutes. Restless, spidery riffs fire from all angles, powered by a jackhammer rhythm section and bolstered by aggressive, barked vocals (top marks for the excellent belch in “Bulleye” too). Colossus Fall negotiates their way through off-kilter time signatures and frenetic fret mangling without being wilfully difficult. A strong foundation of groove and straight head-nodding riffage is maintained throughout, which is all the more effective when contrasted with the surrounding chaos. The overall effect is like a mix of Keelhaul with the crunch of early Mastodon.

The intro of “The Errorist” provides a brief glimpse of the bands slower, more melodic side. Along with the more considered semi-instrumental closer “F.A.T”, it shows that Colossus Fall have more to offer than their trademark breakneck assault and hopefully future releases will see them develop these elements further.

Whilst not quite ready to join the hallowed ranks of their aforementioned countrymen just yet, “Hidden Into Details” is a strong debut from Colossus Fall. It’s delivers a compelling short, sharp shock with the promise of even better things to come.

“Hidden Into Details” is available here




FFO: Keelhaul, Coalesce, Converge, Isis, Mastodon

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