THE OUTRO: The Fall Of Troy

The Outro is a new column here on Under the Gun Review to honor our favorite bands from the past decade that made their mark in their respective genres but have since come to the unanimous decision to move on from their confluence and pursue alternative enterprises.

Providing an in depth look at the featured band’s career as well as interviews with the bands themselves regarding their departure, The Outro is sure to have you feeling a spell of nostalgia as you reconnect with your favorite acts that we’ve lost in recent years.

THE INTRO

We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of Washington-based mathcore act, The Fall Of Troy. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the progressive originality of a transcendent troupe that certainly left their lasting mark…

The Fall Of Troy was formed a decade ago by three like-minded musicians who made up seventy-five percent of their previous band, The 30 Years War, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2005 when the trio released their Equal Vision Records debut Doppelgänger, that they would take their first big steps into true success and begin accumulating an enormous fan base.

From touring with bands like Coheed and Cambria, Deftones, and The Dear Hunter to having their song “F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.” featured in the Guitar Hero franchise, the band had certainly become a noteworthy and sought-after act. The Fall Of Troy released their follow-up, Manipulator in May of 2007 which featured a more well-polished sound to their intricate instrumentation with Thomas Erak displaying an even more dissident vocal approach than their prior releases.

In the fall of 2008, the band brought us their epic EP Phantom on the Horizon before In The Unlikely Event which dropped on October 6, 2009. With what could have been the band jumping the shark had they pressed on, In The Unlikely Event was The Fall Of Troy’s final release. On February 26, 2010 the group announced, that much like Troy, the band had fallen themselves and after one final tour, would be no more.

“Look, now just because we can’t seem to get along without breaking the rules, doesn’t mean we can’t walk on the wild side.”

THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

After originally taking precautions but inevitably succumbing to Doppelgänger like a Stockholm syndrome victim for over half a year, I first set out to see The Fall Of Troy live in March of 2006 at Slim’s in San Francisco. They were in support of Poison The Well along with HORSE the band and Criteria. I was excited to finally see (what had become) one of my favorite bands, and as I giddily entered the venue after standing in line, freezing in the cold, sea-infused San Francisco air, I immediately scanned the room searching for The Fall Of Troy’s merch table; to no avail. I convinced myself that they weren’t selling merchandise for whatever reason as to not allow myself to believe what I knew must be the case, but as the opening band began setting up their equipment, there was an announcement that The Fall Of Troy would not be playing as they were having difficulties with their trailer from the previous show in Pomona. Damn it all to hell!

It took a year and a half from that disappointing night before I was given another opportunity to see the band. Back to Slim’s we went, this time to see the trio share the stage with another one of my favorites; Rx Bandits. The Fall Of Troy graced us with their presence this round and what a presence it was! After a few minor technical issues in their intro, the boys proceeded to keep the energy of themselves and the crowd at an impressive high.

Between Erak flinging himself into a violent sea of concert-goers countless times while simultaneously nailing his guitar parts, and my unprotected ears being raw-dogged by The Fall Of Troy’s deafeningly loud, spastic creations, I was in another world. A magical world much like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, except all the chocolate is boner-inducing jams and the Oompa Loompas are actually teeny-boppers with scene haircuts… and their faces are encased in make-up sarcophagi… and they’re wearing those cartoon-style band tees that they had their moms buy them from Hot Topic… and then you feel uncomfortable because you realize you’re wielding that boner brought on by the love for music in a room full of eleventeen-year-olds! Whoa. Anyway… they played all my favorite tracks from Doppelgänger and Manipulator and they played them well. That was the one and only time I saw The Fall Of Troy live but it was a great enough experience for me to be indefinitely content.

“Pulling strings, and clipping wings, I knew there was no time. We can dream, and speak through sleep, and in our minds, pick out the signs.”

THE INTERVIEW

I had the opportunity to speak briefly with guitarist and lead vocalist Thomas Erak about the break up of the band and some memories of the time they spent together. Read on and get the scoop! What do ya say, you old poop?

What lead to the decision for The Fall of Troy to part ways?
We were a band for a long time and we all just wanted to do different things. The road just took its toll so to speak.

What are the members currently doing?
I am in a new band called Just Like Vinyl that will be releasing a record this summer. Andrew is working and making electronic music. Tim has a new born baby and is engaged to be married, and Frank is in a band called Chineke.

What do you miss the most about being a part of The Fall of Troy?
I mostly just miss all the shenanigans, but I have my fair share in JLV now too.

What is your favorite memory from being on the road with The Fall of Troy?
Probably touring with The Deftones or all the European success.

Which TFOT album are you the most proud of or holds the most personal weight for you?
Probably Manipulator.

What are the chances of the band reforming in any way?
I think somewhere down the road we will probably play again, at least I know I am always down to play with those guys.

What would you consider to have been the highlight of the band’s career?
That’s kind of impossible to answer; it was just one hell of a ride. I feel very lucky to have been at the helm of something so special.

Anything else you’d like to add regarding The Fall of Troy?
I’ll just leave the rest to the music we made. It speaks for itself best in my opinion.

“Tonight, my body’s jumpin’ and I go through the motions and I’m leaving on this journey. Maybe someday I’ll come running home to you.”

THE OUTRO

It’s times like these, once a band parts ways, that you realize how much you may have taken their presence (and the hardships of existing in a band for so long) for granted. It rarely crosses my mind that much like a life, a band’s union can end abruptly for any given reason.

Written and conducted by: Brian Leak

Brian Leak
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One Response to “THE OUTRO: The Fall Of Troy”

  1. Steve says:

    As much as I enjoyed this, I feel like it could have included more and should have been longer….
    Love The Fall of Troy, one of my favorite bands of all time. Never gonna have another band like them.