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Rating: The Neoprogressive Metal takes pride in being one of the most thriving and successful musical scenes of the past two decades.
Numerous groups blend the typical characteristics of Prog with genres that are even very different from each other, thus creating a variety of complex and quite diversified sounds, resulting in works of good quality.
"Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True" is undoubtedly one of these works.
The album in question is the fourth studio work by Fair To Midland, a Progressive/Alternative Metal band from overseas that has made its mark on the scene in recent years, thanks in particular to the success of this production "made in" Serjcal Records (Yes, you heard it right, the record label of Serj Tankian, known to most as the eclectic leader of System Of A Down).
The band, currently formed by frontman and vocalist Darroh Sudderth, guitarist Cliff Campbell, Matt Langley (keyboards), and the new members Brett Stowers and John Dicken (on drums and bass respectively), had already self-produced two albums and an EP without the backing of a record label.
Probably for this reason, "Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True" includes both previously unreleased tracks created expressly for this production and tracks from previous albums: an effective strategy to relaunch past works that went unnoticed and increase their popularity.
That said, let's delve into the characteristics of the album.
We can recognize influences of Heavy and Power Metal mixed with a more or less pronounced Post Rock/Math Rock sound. Also surprising is the presence of certain interludes reminiscent of the Punk Rock/Hardcore Punk scene.
What is most striking about this work is the naturalness with which these elements are blended to create an original mix with great personality. Powerful guitar riffs, free from excessive and pompous virtuosity (Unfortunately a prerogative of Progressive bands that draw from Power Metal elements), are accompanied by excellent bass lines, evocative keyboards, and a reasonably decent drum. The lyrics, never banal and with typically medieval themes, permeate the production with an epic and sustained atmosphere, without a moment of fatigue.
The only flaw that can be found is, at times, the lack of sound refinement which would have given the production much greater depth. For example, the absence of a suite is felt, which would have done justice to the technical abilities of the five artists, as well as generally the somewhat scant duration.
Therefore, I am hopeful for the next work of Fair To Midland, wishing them to find that compositional maturity they are practically close to.
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