Ambition. Scope. Aspiration. Rare qualities in bands today, who seem to have more focus on the immediacy of tracks. There were those who said that the concept album, especially in certain genres, was a dying art. Then FOXCULT came along and not only hit the ground running with a vast, intricate concept EP that blended post-hardcore with atmospheric, space themes, but continue to push modern boundaries with their second release, THE AMETHYST DRIFT.
Still a relatively new band, the amount of high quality, grandiose music that FOXCULT have released is astounding. Only beginning to dip their toes into the touring world this year, the five piece have also completed ‘THE AMETHYST DRIFT‘, continuing the story from last year’s phenomenal THE INDIGO FAULT. This record jumps straight back into proceedings, mixing space exploration with allegories for transitioning, the band have continued to pay homage to bands like Saosin and Thrice, with the soaring and at times, haunting vocals of Audrey Lane and driving guitar work of Ashley Carrera at the fore.
‘Holding Patterns’ opens the piece, lulling you in before you’re sucked into a track that wouldn’t be too out of place on a Balance And Composure record. Subtle instrumentation allows Audrey to tug at your heartstrings with metaphor and emotion. It all coalesces into a frankly stunning guitar solo and gives the impression of slowly falling through space, reaching out for something that may or may not be there. The pace quickens with ASTRAL GALLERY, which features some heavier vocals from Outline In Color vocalist Michael Skaggs giving a harder edge to proceedings and provides a wonderful counterweight to Lane’s soaring voice.
Photo Credit: @Gr4ves_jpg
To delve into the band’s lore in here would not do it justice at all, for they have poured their souls into creating a tapestry as intricate as it is beautiful. From the masterful artwork on all of their releases to the fragmented messages and mysterious video clips (starring the members themselves, reflecting the personal stories of life, love and transitioning woven into the tale) it almost demands you dive further and immerse yourself.
The record reaches it’s pinnacle on the final tracks, with ‘NGC 3603’ being perhaps the most the band have embraced prog in their career. Ashley excels here in particular, her riffing riding the fine line between intricate and evocative. It says a lot of the band, that on final track GEMINI 4 features Casey frontman Tom Weaver, in his first ever guest vocal appearance. The man known for bringing out tears in even the most stoic of individuals is a huge stamp of approval and absolutely smashes his slot.
There is simply no ceiling for FOXCULT. Able to scratch the itches of older and younger fans alike, their infectious personalities, passionate beliefs and true life experiences have soaked into the tracks to coalesce into something that frankly, others would find impossible to make. That the band are still early in their careers and have yet to make a full length is astounding yet shows why FOXCULT are one of, if not the most exciting band in alternative music right now.