For my first post, I'll begin with my favorite band.
FALL OF EFRAFA
For those unfamiliar..
"Fall of Efrafa were a concept band formed in Brighton, United Kingdom in 2005, starting life as a cello driven hardcore band, yet after various line up changes, focused on creating their own sound, mixing elements of post rock, post metal and ambient folk black metal- taking influence from bands such asNeurosis, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Agalloch and Buried Inside. They described their music as heavy atmospheric post-hardcore.
The concept was based loosely around their own interpretation of the Mythology in the novel “Watership Down” by Richard Adams. The band created a trilogy of records known collectively as “The Warren of Snares”: Owsla (guardian), Elil (enemy) and lastly Inlé (death). The narrative behind the lyrics followed a society on the brink of social collapse, under a theocratic rule. An uprising occurs in the face of a greater enemy. Characters from the book, and the make believe language known as ‘lapine’ were also included in both the artwork and lyrics.
The band received a lot of praise for their music, both for the concept surrounding the band - a mix of mythological language and imagery amidst anti-religious, animal rights ideologies - and the music itself, although fans are often divided, when pigeon holing their sound.
The band was staunchly DIY, but managed to sidestep specific labels by incorporating a mixture of disparate post rock and avant-garde / folk black metal passages and hardcore punk influences. Although they completed various tours and shows. They rarely played live, spending most of their time writing and recording. They played their last ever show in Brighton, on December 5th, 2009.
Members have gone on to form other projects - Neil (guitar) formed Blackstorm, a heavy rock and roll metal band, George (drums) formed an instrumental post rock project with his brother called “Movement of Leaves”, Mikey joined the Austrian hardcore punk band “BØREDØM” and Alex started “Light Bearer”, a concept post metal band, and “Momentum”, a melodic hardcore band.
http://www.myspace.com/fallofefrafa" - taken from their Last.fm profile.
This is, by far, one of the most influential bands in my life. The music they have created has been a part of my life on an almost daily basis since I first stumbled upon it. It's simply beautiful, in every aspect. My two main influences when I decided to become a vegan were, Gregg Graffin (from studying his work on evolutionary biology) and Alex CF's writing and passion about the matter. I've since had the opportunity to speak with Alex several times, and get to know him a bit, and he's one of the most awesome people I've ever had the chance to communicate with. I can't recommend his work enough, be it his writing, music or artwork. Definitely check him out. http://alexcf.bigcartel.com/
On to the music..
Like I said, please go and support this amazing, now defunct band in any way you can. Visit Alex's big cartel page and pick up some incredible artwork. Check out their new bands. Buy old records. Whatever you can do to let them know how much their work was appreciated.
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