F# A# ∞

This is certainly the most difficult listens from GY!BE but non the less a masterpiece. The songs evolve very slowly from mellow passages to create powerful and beautiful climaxes in a GY!BE/post rock fashion. But the music is more than just climaxes here and there. It's actually a depiction of the apocalyptic scenes, the end of the world. It's one of the darkest albums of their whole discography, no doubt about it. Already the beginning of the record tells it. The Dead Flag Blues begins with a sinister, yet beautiful poem: The car's on fire and there's no driver at the wheel. And the sewers are all muddied with a thousand lonely suicides.. And a dark wind blows. This song is not supposed to be a catchy opener, one should keep that in mind. The songs are not about being catchy or easy to get into, they are more of a form of art. It took me actually over a year to fully appreciate this. Before that it seemed to me that the first song, The Dead Flag Blues, didn't begin before the last five minutes, because that's when the drums fade in. I didn't realize that the song begun at first second, and that it's a masterpiece throughout the whole song, like all the songs are in the album

Now as I said, the album has an apocalyptic concept. It's interesting how they can make concept albums with a 100% message value without any lyrics (excluding the spoken parts). Take a look at the Yanqui U.X.O for example. No words, not even spoken, just music, but still, a high emphasis on their opinions and their messages for the world. How is that possible? They let the music do the talking (and the album sleeve.. but still).

To return to the matter, F#A#∞ is definitely a must have and a significant release in the post rock scene. GY!BE's beauty and finesse make others' work pale in comparison. The use of string instruments and horns make the music flow, creating overwhelming atmospheres and moods. The time just flies, a 20 minute song sounds like 2 minutes. The music is full of emotion, you should just lean back and let the music take you in to the corners of your subconscious. Surrender for the black emperor.