JUPITER FALLS – Faces In The Sand (2017)
Leeds based, English band JUPITER FALLS returns with their second long player “Faces In The Sand [Part One]” after two years from their debut. The album comes with a personnel change in the form of drummer Luke Hatfield, ans a more melodic approach in sound.
Perhaps the first thing you need to know about Jupiter Falls is that it was founded by lead guitarist Deano Silk and vocalist James Hart. Naturally then, most everything revolves around this duo. That said, with twin guitar harmony / riffage and epic soaring leads, Jupiter Falls and their music is very guitar-forward, even better, guitar-centered. The riffs are brisk and sharp, abundant and large, accounting for the Jupiter Falls bombastic delivery.
Some may consider the depth and strength of the guitar parts as harsh nearing modern heavy rock, and I can understand that point. Voices is a case in point. Even acoustic guitar driven songs like ‘Follow You’, and more so ‘Call Me’, find the acoustic riffs bold, with guitarist Deano Silk strumming like his last breaths were at stake.
Within all these things, Hart’s vocals both blends with and echoes the guitar sound. He sings as assertive as the strong riffage, yet clean with an abundance of passion.
Returning to Jupiter Falls aggressive modern guitar sound, within songs such as ‘Voices’ and ‘This Is A War We Cannot Win’, Hart can add an equally aggressive and raw in his vocal delivery.
But within that latter song, you have Jupiter Falls’ wild card, the proverbial ace in the hole. Amidst the strong and bombastic metallic guitars, melody and harmony are woven with delicate subtlety, yet not so sublime to be missed. About two thirds in, for the guitar breakdown, the riffs and rhythms of the guitar lines sweeten the song. You’ll find this motif in various and similar ways throughout the album.
Having said that, title track ‘Faces In The Sand’ is really interesting. It’s a very unique mixture of both metal ballad and anthem with lots of the aforementioned guitar bravado. It’s a pretty long track with some progressive passages, and as written several times above, plenty of guitar.
“Faces In The Sand [Part One]” is another strong effort from Jupiter Falls. If you like thoroughly guitar charged hard rock / metal / melodic hard which sways between an old school classic vibe and modern sharp nuances, you will enjoy this album.
According to the CD title, there’s a ‘Part Two’ in the making, and I am eager to discover what this interesting band has to offer next.
01 – Welcome To My World
02 – Nothing To Me
03 – Illusion
04 – Call Me
05 – Sickened
06 – Follow You
07 – Voices
08 – This Is A War We Cannot Win
09 – Its Your Problem Now
10 – See You On The Other Side
11 – Faces In The Sand Pt1
Vocals – James Hart
Guitar – Zachari Daniels
Lead Guitar – Deano Silk
Bass Guitar – Dan Clark
Drums – Luke Hatfield
BUY IT !
www.brokenroadrecords.com/product-page/jupiter-falls-faces-in-the-sand-part-one-2016-pre-order
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