Final Coil – ‘The World We Left Behind For Others’

Introducing Final Coil’s brand-new album, ‘The World We Left Behind For Others’. Complete with deeply imaginative and thought-provoking artwork, by Andy Pilkington, of Very Metal Art, it follows up 2017’s seminal album ‘Persistence Of Memory’.

Ash’s – Opening gradually, as if into a tunnel, to another world. Smooth guitar riffs, dancing with the light and melting into each other segue into a plucky section, growing increasingly proggy.

The Last Battle – Continuing the plucky riffs. Vocals coming in, down an alternative route, with grunge inflections. Slightly similar riffs now to those on ‘POM’, down tuned bass segments, interacting with the higher pitched riffs, in an inventive melody. Fading out on mysterious contemplative lyrics and a slightly dark atmosphere.

Scattered Dust – Altogether heavier intro, even more sinister and wandering. Vocals entering earlier, in an ominous tone. Speeding up, the riffs take it up to higher ground. Still, that dark lyrical thread persists. Some particularly eerie riffage in there, playing out the atmosphere of the time. Moving up now, into a higher vocal register, building in strength, with an almost hypnotic edge. Flying off into the distance, the riffs grow shriller and more rhythmic, as it fades out.

Take Me For A Walk – Introing on an easy beat and accessible riff melody, it lets you relax into the flow. Slow and steady, with a strong grunge emphasis. Bringing in a touch of feedback, vocals coming next. Catchy hook to that chorus. Intriguing lyrics. Fading out gently.

Empty Handed – Introing with a slight Sabbath-esque groove there, echoing their ‘MOR’ era, with a powerful riff, the melody growing. Quick rhythm follows, displaying an in and out essence. A melancholic edge to it, but still maintaining that faster beat. Riffs opening out, onto a carpet of imagery, growing ever lighter. Strongly atmospheric. Vocal emphasis building in power, yet always a restrained air about it. Fading out gradually.

Keeping Going – Plucky riffs opening, with an altogether higher vibe. Mood lifting instantly, kept up by a consistently lighter vibe. A simpler melody gives this one an easier, more accessible edge. Fading out on the same sound.

Convicted Of The Right – Opening onto some very chilling lyrics and surrounding battle sounds. Eye-opening and thought-provoking. Riffs getting more and more shrill, till the visual ending, of chaos and aftermath. Brief, but intense.

Ashes Ashes – Piano intro, on another similarly sinister tone. Vocals matching. It’s definitely a darker sound, but there’s still light within it. Briefer, but no less atmospheric.

One More Drink – A shadowed sense enshrouds this, like a veil. Another short one, focused around a continuous beat. Purely instrumental.

And I’ll Leave – Taking the mood back up again, with a higher vibe, but only slightly. There’s still a significant morosity, but it is a little more light. Some nice smooth riffage in there. Very emotionally reflective.

Imaginary Trip – Introing on a measured grungy rhythm and melody, with that same sense of loss and hopelessness captured within it. A strong narrative to this and a picturesque bleakness pervades it. More vocally focused. A haunting quality emanates. There’s a smooth fluidity to this track, which just glides through it, till the end, formed by a minimal plucky quiescent riff, leaving an air of mystery.

The World We Left Behind For Others – A very doom entrenched intro. Like a much heavier version of The Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’. Possibly the most thought-provoking track, which is, of course, fitting, for the title track. Vocals entering at a later point, with a definite aggression, painting the picture, in words. Somehow, there’s a greater ease and acceptance about this one, whilst still being emotive about the theme. Evolving into a catchy, if morose chorus, surrounding the poignant piano section with shrill feedback riffs, on which, it ends.

Overall – Melodically, it’s definitely a different direction, in deference to the theme. It is, though, just as imaginative and thought-provoking as ‘POM’. The production’s as flawless as I’ve come to expect from FC and the depth of focus on channelling of emotion’s superb. Something, however, is missing, for me, in ‘TWWLBFO’ and that’s lightness and catch. Whilst the subject matter doesn’t necessarily lend itself to mood lifting properties and must be respectfully and therefore, realistically portrayed, this album’s just a little bit too gloomy for me. No quarrel at all with its technical proficiency, nor its musical craftsmanship, both of which are always in full supply and of top-notch quality, with FC. It just doesn’t quite hit that spot, in terms of mood enrichment. Extraordinary effort. Just missing the spark.

9/10 *********

For fans of AIC, Black Sabbath, Nirvana, Martyr De Mona.

http://www.finalcoil.com
http://www.facebook.com/finalcoil
http://www.imperativepr.co.uk
http://www.verymetalart.com