We have loved hard rock act Fahran long before they climbed out of their shed-skin (we were thrilled byToxic Federation.) We have watched the band develop and grow. And re-create themselves (yet again) by recruiting Matt Black (previously ‘Serpentine‘) as their lead singer. The exciting thing about this band is that they still deploy twin-lead guitars. That makes us happy! The attacks and duels these two perform (Jake Graham with Chris Byrne) are always scintillating and hot.
The band should be taken more seriously – they are stunning live – and they have now issued their second album titled ‘Chasing Hours‘. We had a listen:
The first song (Long Gone) has a Latin aspect to it – castanets and rattlesnakes – these rhythms vie for your attention in the shimmering heat of the desert. Then a guitar anxiously rolls around devilishly developing beats.
The voice takes to the skies, like a carrion crow – lofting high – flying light and dark – into the ether. And down below – where the twisting and turning prickly cactus intersections of the song meet – the riffs keep chugging.
All this expression keeps the listener thoroughly entertained and constantly enlightened.
This song gels as a whole – despite the complicated path that it takes. It is very ‘Avenged Sevenfold‘ – especially in the sense that it is easy to get to grips with and a real pleasure to hold on to … but it is also deep and complex enough to provide long-term gratification.
‘Take This City Alive’ is enthusiastic and daring. The song has wonderful riff – a stunning display of guitar right in the centre of the song ( this sprays out like an unexpected geyser) and some clean vocals that are anxious and spirited. The repetitive chorus is unforgettable. The entire piece is outstanding.
The guitars are also ferociously hot on ‘A Thousand Nights’, then ‘I Heard A Joke Once’ has rhythms that grow rapidly in an irritated fashion. The feral voice – even when it is contained – is full of breathtaking emotion.
Title song ‘Chasing Hours’ begins with a simple basket of woven shapes and textures. Then the melody begins, and it is gentle and honeyed. There seems to be no limits to the emotions shown here – the voice is powerful and passionate – guitars sigh, gasp, and finally shine along with the voice. This is a soaring, magnificent anthem.
‘Cased in Steel’ thunders along the way like a battle song. ‘Some Kind of Family’ has a rubbery rhythm and a bunch of ideas that are all bloody good fun.
‘Are We Free’ has some sharp percussion (from JR Windsor), with guitars that mysteriously smoke and more of those catchy choruses. ‘Back To Me’ feels like it has a bit more vintage. Guitars bubble together -on this one – in a tar-pit of sounds.
‘Prison’ begins with lightly strummed folk guitars ( this is reminiscent of early Led Zeppelin tracks) then the masculine vocals races in – after limbering up against the lightness of the earlier accompaniment. This song rapidly develops into a painful hymn about heartbreak and loneliness. It seems very reminiscent of Whitesnake (we even get mention of travelling down that “Same old road again …” )
The grumbling bass line (Josh Ballantyne) on this track bumbles like a bee trapped in a jar, and the screams of the guitar cut the air like a knife. And, of course, that sentimental voice rises higher and higher into the stratosphere. When the big, climactic guitar solo comes at you, it is a blessed relief.
This is a great album. Thirteen songs – many of them more than 4 minutes in length. Each chock full of ideas and feelings. Even after returning to this several times, we were still discovering new ideas and different passages that we had not heard before.
But this is also exhausting. The passion and enthusiasm is demonstrative. It is uncontrolled and unrestrained – so you feel that you need to buckle up before you take the ride. The trip is worth it if you have the time and stamina. There are many wonders here that will leave you speechless.
@neilmach © 2014
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/Fahranmusic
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