Falaise
As Time Goes By
(A Sad Sadness Song)
Originally released last year, this Italian mixture of keyboard atmosphere and melodic black metal comes off with a sort of melancholic beauty. The kinds of riffs that Lorenzo Pompilli utilizes here on the recording mostly seem to offer a balance of melancholy and, even though there are some rather frozen tremolos to be accrued as well. Fronting his guitar, bass, keyboard and drum programming, we also have Matteo Guarnello who commands a diabolical vocal bark, quite a bit more fearsome than something you might picture for a band like Deafheaven. While this record can almost be compared to the “hipsterisms” apparent in such an act, there’s something a little more morose at the core of this album, which I think comes across as less of a gimmick and more like an emotional outburst of energy. The record invokes a sort of deep sadness, which is somewhat accentuated with synths and piano portions, achieving exactly what it came to do – reflect upon the futility of human life. One might say there’s a brand of nihilism at the core here, but at least some modicum of beauty shines within it, making what to some might require a box of tissues, into a rather enlightening observation of the planet as a whole. Those of you looking for a rather dreary soundscape will find something to like here, but if you’re looking for a disc that comes across with a bit more fire, you might want to look elsewhere. (The Grim Lord)
Purchase As Time Goes By here.
