The Downfall | Atrofeed

The Downfall: Atrofeed

To be honest I've never seen Downfall before, never heard a single note played by this lot before, I've heard good things, don't get me wrong, but I've never been to a gig to see them play, call it laziness I guess... I am truly foolish. Downfall have probably put together the most honest, heartfelt, powerful recording I've heard in an age.

From the onset this is inspiring stuff. Flux kicks off with a head noddingly good riff, breaking it down to a bass chordy/vocal break, reminiscent of UK post hardcore boys Tribute To Nothing. Next track Swandive is my definite favourite of the EP kicking off how all good rock songs should: big. Again, well thought out guitar and bass riffs and precision drumming, but what really shines through are the vocals, so powerful and emotional but never pretentious or fake. Vocals to put the world to rights with. Throughout the rest of the EP there's not a dog of a track on here, all good, from the more steady paced Mourning All Night to the ultra catchy Problem #1 (maybe too catchy. You know when you're trying to get to sleep and you can't get a song out of your head, well that was mine for 2 nights running, bastard).

After the current influx of tedious metal inspired Yank emo it's so refreshing to see a band truly at the top of their game from these shores playing such honest guitar driven rock music, call it emo call it post hardcore, whatever. What you do have here is 3 musicians playing for (I guess) the love of the music, not the style or the scenester points just to rock and rock they do. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Comments

lost45drummer wrote...

I listened to 'Life on the Green Sofa' the other night..

Still mint!!!

Profile | Posted 20th January 2004 at 17:04

Canny LJ wrote...

Bloody Hell thats a blast from the past. I played on it we were just 15.
You can see how there music has progressed since then.

Profile | Posted 21st January 2004 at 18:05

bobby12345 wrote...

hay, just thought id say we played our 3rd gig with u guys and u rocked. u were sooo better than the headliners (white buffalow), cos u guys werent knob heads! defenatly had a good time watching u guys!

Profile | Posted 21st January 2004 at 19:58

lost45drummer wrote...

Canny! Have you stopped growing yet? You were 6'5" then at 15!!!
Do you still go in the British at all???

Profile | Posted 22nd January 2004 at 12:34

Canny LJ wrote...

U can't beat the british oak on thursday night! I think i've stop growing upwards now but i'm defo growing outwards. When r u guys playing next round here cause i'll come and check it out?

Profile | Posted 22nd January 2004 at 18:48

lost45drummer wrote...

We're playing at The Brudenell Social for the 'gravy outrageous' night on the 21st Feb I think. The date keeps changing! Also we're at RPC on 11th March. I'm moving back to Rothwell next month hopefully! I'll see you in the British Oak probably for Dave's Thursday night disco!

Profile | Posted 23rd January 2004 at 13:51

Review of The Downfall's CD "Atrofeed"