FOES
The Summit Lies Skyward
(Basick Records)
One of the great developments in prog the last decade has been bands who have been able to hybridize different styles together to make something more interesting than either style on their own. Modern prog gets a lot flak for not being all that progressive at times, but there are a whole host of groups making captivating music under the wide prog umbrella. British four-piece FOES certainly fall in that category, and their previous EPs highlighted them as a band to watch. Thankfully, their full-length debut capitalizes on their potential, while also showing that the band still have some growth in them yet.
FOES’ sound is a chimera of three strains of prog with an unexpected source: there’s the rhythmic hard rock of Tool, the occasional (and very welcome) technical groove of Meshuggah, the arty new prog of The Pineapple Thief, and the British Stadium rock of The Xcerts and Lower Than Atlantis. There’s also a bit of twinkly post-rock influence present. All this may make it seem like FOES’ sound pulls from too many influences to be anywhere near cohesive, when that couldn’t be any further from the truth. This 11-song record is filled to the brim with beautiful, dynamic, pulsing songs that are quite surprisingly catchy. It all feels like a more calculated and artistic take on prog’s roots, but with razor-sharp riffs hiding behind the corners, ready to spring into action. FOES’ songwriting prowess is electric, and it allows their heavy and melodic sides to feel that much more focused (for the most part). Aside from a few instances where a song feels like it’s overstayed its build-up or over-extended its breakdown, The Summit Lies Skyward is a near-perfect showcase for how to make crushing yet hauntingly pretty modern prog.
Individual songs don’t quite stick out, but that feels less like a nagging problem than the result of an album that is designed to be tackled at once. “Sworn Host”, with its hooky bombast, works better because it follows the gorgeous “No Sleepers Verse”. Of course, all the detail and solid execution do require a few listens to properly sink in, which is absolutely expected with something this cunningly-crafted. The album feels like a trek along the peaks and valleys of a mountainside, and there are countless moments throughout The Summit Lies Skyward that fit that narrative perfectly. FOES appear to be carving out their own niche in the modern prog world, and while they have some room for further growth, their debut is quite wonderful.
Purchase The Summit Lies Skyward here.
