Calls from the Horizon

If you like really audacious, cinematic elements in your female-fronted metal, The Fall of Eve might tickle your fancy in some regard. I can't say that this band has a whole lot to offer as far as output is concerned at this point, but I procured this digital EP over the summer and found it to be quite decent at times. As what is surely meant to be a taste of what could come to fruition if the band manages to get their ducks in a row and deliver a debut album, Calls from the Horizon prognosticates something of potential value. So, if you are into Sirenia and some of Delain's more bombastic moments, The Fall of Eve falls somewhat close while retaining a decidedly hefty punch to the riffs that is so often disregarded in this particular subgenre. That is why I enjoy early Sirenia so much, the riffs were always omnipresent; grumbling under the surface and ready to strike at any time. Calls from the Horizon boasts a quite dense, muscular guitar sound on the whole, and as far as production values are concerned, could pass as a full length as it stands.

This band doesn't do much to separate themselves from the typical fare as far as song structure and delivery is concerned, but most fans of this sort of music come into these things expecting at least one massive sounding, cinematic dirge that strikes all of the necessarily switches and sticks like glue to your ear canals. In The Fall of Eve's case, this is definitely the title track of this thing, which is sort of like, uh... this EP's "Frozen" or something. Nice programmed orchestration and gothic vocal melodies that build up into a decidedly powerful crescendo. Short, accessible, and to the point, this one works very well. Tracey's voice isn't half bad. She has something of a nasal sneer concerning her higher register, but her voice is smooth and sensual as one would expect. She certainly is one of the higher-pitched entries in this concern, but she doesn't come off like a mouse who ingested helium like Ailyn either. I would say she has potential and is a strong voice for the group.

And then we have the actual orchestral backing, which is all programmed and is shockingly convincing when this is taken into consideration. The fact that three individuals can get together and hammer out music this huge sounding is a testament to how far recording technology has come in the last decade or so. As a keyboardist, I might as well hang it up - we are being rendered obsolete by the digital medium we so proudly employed for years! Anyway, The Fall of Eve is a respectable little Glasgow outfit that might go somewhere with this sound. I guess they were trying to use a kickstarter pledge to fund their first album, but I'm not sure if this ever panned out for them. Some of the better songs are floating around Youtube, so check out the title track, as it is a pretty strong example in and of itself. I will try and keep account of where this project goes, as this isn't half bad.