Falaise – As Time Goes By

Genre: Atmospheric Post – Black
Country: Italy
Label: Aeteritas Tenebrarum Musicae Fundamentum (ATMF)
Year: 2015

Falaise was one of the very beautiful discoveries of this year, catching my interest from the very beginning with their extremely unique music. Although being active for just one year, they have managed to release a full length album, a split and a single. I will deal with their first and full length release, “As Time Goes By”, since that’s how I became with them. After all, a full length release gives you a much more complete picture of the band.

“As Time Goes By” was released in April 2015 by the band itself, and in August of the same year it was released again through Aeteritas Tenebrarum Musicae Fundamentum (ATMF). The album is characterized by vivid and strangely warm / intimate compositions that combine Post Black / Post Rock / Post Punk with alternative British sound structures and a bit of shoegazing / blackgazing, just enough to add that new – psychedelia quality. At the same time, what one observes at first sound are the extreme distortions on both guitars (it doesn’t happen all the time), and on vocals, to the point they become unrecognizable. “As Time Goes By” is built up upon a variety of rhythms and paces, ranging from extremely quick to slow and painful. In a general context, Falaise’s music seems to have been covered by a veil of melancholy, with the rhythms and orchestration / arrangements in many of the pieces creating feelings of catharsis.

“As Time Goes By” is a piece of art, which seems to be detached from life. One can perceive it as a door to the inner self of the musicians and the listeners. Like those shadows in the corners of the mind and the soul, where everyone is fighting their own demons. To be able to fully comprehend Falaise’s music, you should devote time. This album needs a lot of hearing sessions and clear mind; however when sinking in, it will acquire a permanent and special place in your heart.

Recommended for fans of Alcest, Saor, Deafheaven and their phylum.

With a slight reservation about the album’s oncoming timelessness and because of the difficulty in comprehending the lyrics (which I get was purposely done, though it doesn’t fit my standards)…

4,5/6