False – “Untitled”

Minneapolis, MN-based Black Metal sextet False have created quite a stir in underground metal circles since dropping their debut “Untitled” release via Gilead Media/Howling Mine. They have been hailed as the next big thing in USBM by some, and honestly, after picking up the vinyl version of the album and spending some contemplative alone time with the record I am not the least bit surprised.

While the run time is relatively short (12 minutes per side), the two songs featured are wrought with intense layers of guitars and keyboards as well as genuinely original and imaginative drum work. The female vocalist’s screams are firmly grounded in the genre and fairly one dimensional, but they work to compliment the barrage of heavy, tremolo picked riffs and melodic leads. Plus her lyrics are unique and intriguing.

While the majority of this record is full on blast beat heaviness, there are moments of quiet introspection intermingled that give the listener a chance to breathe before being beaten over the head again by the impending torrent.

Having seen the band in San Francisco last year, I must say that they were crushing live and a genuinely nice bunch. I am sure this record will be the first of many more epic offerings to come from False and I look forward to their future releases. Recommended for fans of Agalloch, Wolves In The Throne Room, and Ludicra.

Track Listing:

01. Sleepmaker
02. The Key Of Passive Suffering

Run Time: 25:16
Release Date: August 9, 2011

Check out the album “False”