MANIPULATOR

First album I bought from this awsome band. If I compare this album to the previous one Doppelganger, this one is more concrete I'd have to say. They know where they're going. There's less non-sens guitar playing and insane tempo jumps. You actually can listen to a song without being lost.

The album starts with ''Cut Down All The Trees...'', no intro no smooth opening. They shoot this track straight in your face without any warning.

After that goes ''The Dark Trail'' which is heavier, longer and still awesome.

Quarter Past is the bluesiest of their work. The song could actually play on radio! Well maybe the first part with the keyboards...

After this smooth ride (for the fall of troy of course) There goes ''Problem!?'' a two-minute-of-non-stop-groundbreaking-screams-and-whiplash-headbanging-riffs. Can't get enough of this one.

Semi-Fiction is the most emo song of the album but still kicks major arses. Screaming, math rock tempos, clean lament and a very cool melody. Of course, a Fall Of Troy signature... mid-song instrumental part.

''Oh! The Casino!?'' weird tempo main riff and ''quarter past'' style verse. That's about it. Not the best song but you get it stuck in your head for a couple hours.

-WARNING- The following songs may contain weird material and complete madness.

Sledgehammer... Don't listen to this song having Peter Gabriel in mind because you'll have a bit of a surprise. Really intense song with again a mid-song instrumental. Alot of riffs and non-stop palm muting by the end of the song.

Seattlantis. I don't really know what to say about this song for I've listened to it only 3 times maybe. Not that good. It goes by and you won't get hooked by it.

Ex-Creations. Probably my favorite on the album! Very cool intro then goes dissonant chords and screams with out of nowhere bends and then tapping solo!!! After you realize what just happens the song continues to surprise you as they insert some kind of chorus. That's not all! After that, breakdown for supper and screaming for desert. Great meal!

The dinosaur thingy song is a great follower to ex creations and they keep you with heavy riffs and unexpected stops and tempo changes. Splitting the song with a rock n roll style phrase and screams. Then again with the stops and tempos...

Caught up..... pop song........more i need to say??? still catchy though

A Man A Plan A Canal Panama... Refer to the title for some information on the song : long, weird, good, unexpected. Kind of the McCaulay McCulkin of the album... The band keeps you on a rollercoaster ride, with rude turns, speed and unexpected ups and downs. You know... the one that makes you sick but you still want to ride it again and again! 4/5

To date, this is probably the band's most polished release along with Phantom on the Horizon. Although unlike the EP released a year later, this probably still has a rawer, "punchier" sound overall. Actually, to be honest, this is kind of a mix between the post-hardcore beating of Doppelganger and the sonic assault of Phantom on the Horizon. Although like most of TFoT's work, I find this to be highly enjoyable, not to mention very addictive for my tastes.

While the highly technical playing of the band returns, there is a more mature approach to the songwriting as I previously mentioned. The band actually does go mid-tempo much more often than they normally do and they incorporate more sound effects into the music, as well as a bit more in the singing department. Although guitarist and vocalist Thomas Erak's voice is still incredibly high-energy and he still has some mind-blowing chops. I've said before that I'm always amazed by the musical abilities of a band playing this type of music, and Manipulator is no exception.

This is probably the best place for most prog fans to start who are interested in the band (or Phantom on the Horizon, but you'll have to download a copy since physical ones either don't exist or are extremely expensive), at least those who have more traditional tastes in prog. Although as good as this album is, Doppelganger fits my tastes a little better, but I can still give this 4 stars. TFoT's new album is currently slated for a fall release later this year, and I hope it's up to par or surpasses the work present on this album.

I remember this being my first Fall Of Troy album, because I got it when it first came out.

I remember not expecting much, but then I put on the song The Dark Trail, and when the falsetto vocals came in, I nearlly died.

This is just one of those albums that is perfect in anyway, not one boring or pittiful moment, every song is incredibly catchy, the instrumental work is amazing and the vocals are just o wide in diversty, you can't help but be drawn in by them.

This album also comes with a bonus live cd, which isn't bad.

And there is also really cool and cartoonic artwork.

1. Cut Down All The Trees & Name The Streets After Them - Love playing this song on guitar. Amazing chorus and unbelievable vocals. 10/10

2. The Dark Trail - Their best song ever in my opinion. The falsetto is very cheesy, but so awesome at the same time. The instrumental section also is incredibly impressive. The lyrics are very smart as well. 10/10

3. Quarter Past - This song starts off quite slow and jazzy, before turning into a whole lot of crazy. Infectious chorus. 10/10

4. Problem!? - Short, sweet & catchy. Do I need to say more. 10/10

5. Semi-Fiction - Another amazing chorus, along with some pretty amazing instrumental work. 9/10

6. Oh! The Casino!? - Again, another short and cathcy song. 9/10

7. Sledgehammer - No, this is not a Peter Gabriel cover. Amazing instrumental work, and quite experimental as well. 9/10

8. Seattlantis - There are so many times you think this song would end, but as always, they suprise you. There is also some thrash metal influence with the guitar riffing. 9/10

9. Ex-Creations - The most impressive song, guitar wise. Their are so many videos on You Tube of people playing (or attempting to play) this song. Great chorus, and what I know to be my brother's favourite Fall Of Troy song.10/10

10. Shhh!!! If You're Quiet, I'll Show You A Dinosaur - Weird title for an even weirder song. Great chorus and some werid lyrics. 10/10

11. Caught Up - Very laiback, with just clean guitar and vocals. Very jazz influenced. 9/10

12. A Man A Plan A Canal Panama - By far the most interesting song on the album. The instrumental work is just incredible. Quite lengthy, but not boring in the slightest. 9/10

CONCLUSION: This is deffinetly their best album. I am sad to say these guys have broken up a few weeks ago. They will be sadly missed.

RIP The Fall Of Troy

Sometimes you decide to hear a band simply because you liked the cover of the CD or something like that. In this case I knew nothing about the band when I decided to give this one a shot. I like the name: The Fall Of Troy. Nice, isn´t it? Heavy prog, they say. It sounded ok to me, thinking of the heavy prog bands of the 70´s as maybe the main reference. Besides I saw the high ratings here on PA. Unfortunately when I put it on it was nothing that I expected. It caught me completely off guard. And its low rating is related to my taste only, not their musicianship, nor their prowess in doing what they like.

In its broad concept you can call this album progressive. It certainly has some unusual song structures and all, but I really don´t like it. it´s simply too technical and freakish for my liking. Lots of heavy guitars, tempo changes and screaming vocals. Sometimes they even deliver a more ´song´ oriented parts, like on the beginning of Quarter Past, quite bluesy. But I can´t stand the vocal style: sometimes high pitched, sometimes growling like in a death metal band. You can see this trio has the chops, the production is excellent and is awesome how they do not to get lost in all this frenzy. But the style is clearly not for the ones who loves symphonic prog or even ´traditional´ heavy prog like I do.

Definitely for the ones who enjoy something hardcore. I´ll pass this one up.