Bleak Falls review
Drawing on influences such as Cancer Bats, Deftones and Nirvana, Sussex based Bleak Falls are set to release their spanking new EP, The Grass Gets No Greener, on the 18th of November this year, ready to lay waste to all who hear it. Described as offering up a sound that pitches sincere emotion and broody atmosphere with ferocious power and unbridled energy, Bleak Falls seem to set to take over, having already been featured in Front Magazine, and having shared stages around the UK with the likes of Landscapes, The Long Haul and Set Your Sails. Now set up with the new EP, it seemed only right we check them out to see what was on offer, and what we should be preparing ourselves for.
Kicking things off with Forever/Always the EP gets going in an almost smooth style, ushering in soothing melodies yet underpinning everything with a sense that there’s more to come, and that this is the calm before the storm. As the vocals come in the full depth of the track is revealed, upping the power of the track and propelling the listener into a world of deep, melodic guitar work, solid drum lines and pained vocals, all working together to form a sound that envelops you in a blanket of sound. ’95 continues in much the same vein, continuing to push melodies forward at the forefront of the track whilst backing everything with a solid, almost punk orientated approach. Gravelly vocals combine with chunky guitar work to craft a track that’s sure to be a live favourite, the sort of thing that will get people moving, jumping and chanting along.
It’s when A Taste Of Change comes about though that the high point of the EP is revealed, presenting us with a track which seems to capture the essence of Bleak Falls in a nutshell, combining all of their elements in a manner that allows everything to flow out naturally, whilst at the same time pushing the boundaries of sound through the sheer power they manage to unleash. Despite this power, there’s an almost ballad like feel to moments on this track, allowing the listener to connect with what they’re hearing and demonstrating that Bleak Falls could well be a band to keep an eye on – there’s more to them than you’d first think on a first listen.
Moving on to Deadlock we’re once again confronted by that dark edge, capturing a sense of punk through the vocal stylings whilst at the same time, presenting a track which is surprisingly complex. Deep and powerful without actually giving away how, there’s a seriously emotional edge here which pushes the track even deeper into the mind of all who hear it, demonstrating the bands understanding of how to craft music, and once again suggesting that on the live scene, these guys are going to be a hell of a force to be reckoned with. It’s only then left to Put Me To Sleep to close the EP off, finishing on another laid back yet somehow hard hitting melee of melodic guitar work and restrained backing rhythms. Deep and powerful to the end, as the EP comes to a close there’s no doubt that Bleak Falls have put together something special here, and something which is going to stand the test of time.
It’s surprising when you stumble across a band like Bleak Falls as quite simply, they don’t follow the conventions you would expect, yet somehow manage to tick all of the right boxes. From melodies through to hard hitting rhythms, this EP has it all, and looking to the future, Bleak Falls could well be a band to keep an eye on.
Rating: 8/10
Words: Dave Nicholls