Another month, another a up and coming UK metal band; happily though, there’s been a good track record with these, at least with those I’ve been slotting into my stereo. Last month’s Galleons EP was a sheer delight, and last year Carcer City’s full length proved they’ll be ones to watch. Plus there’s oodles of others that should get any sensible metalhead foaming at the mouth. Anyone who says metal is dying is patently talking out of their denim-clad arse.
Anyway, the latest to cross my desk is this fivesome from Essex. Fundamentally, a modern metal band, which means those lovely harmonised guitars and an occasional stuttering riff we’ve all come to know and love. Thankfully, FFTB have realised there’s more to this metal lark than just growing long hair and shouting a bit; their tunes have a progressive feel that recalls the thuggish meanderings of Shai Hulud just as much as the breath-taking lead needling of NWOAHM like Bleeding Through, to bring you something that’ll keep your attention locked in for the five track running time.
Indeed, from the very first few bars of the title track, you’re know you’re going to be in for a fulfilling ride; the drumming is tight and shows enough skill and variation so that you realise it’s actually a human being drumming, while vocalist Will Sparling snarls and growls in a fitting manner, but not so indecipherable you can’t make out the words. Meanwhile, it’s their stringed instrument wielding mates who are the stars of the show here. Not just the aforementioned guitars - whose work throughout remains tight, disciplined and focused throughout – but also the bassist, who rather than just sitting back and thumping away in support is able to match his 6-string brethren note for note during some of the more spiralling runs, which certainly gives them an edge over their contemporaries.
Granted, there’s nothing earth-shatteringly original here, it’s just extremely well-played and stuffed to the gills with an unquantifiable quality that comes from simply writing good, solid metal. And sometimes, despite my high-faulting love of liking avant-garde music and stroking my chin, sometimes the likes of ‘Forever Is Forever’ or hollering out clenched fist chorus of ‘All Lives Born Free’ is all I need to get through my day.
http://www.myspace.com/fftbband
