False Gharial-Tragic Demise | The prodigal return

Prepare your senses for what might be a lightning strike to your ears. False Gharial are a young band that started in 2015, releasing an EP in 2018 and going through line-up changes. They are now settles in to what might be their most intense lineup and a very promising album. It is called Tragic Demise, and is a searing salute to all the groups they admire and music they are passionate about.

Tragic Demise, with a new birth

Catapulting the tempo into the stratosphere with Delusional Waters, False Gharial are very clear what they want to achieve. The opening sounds like an elemental breakdown of Trivium during their early years. False Gharial do well with the superb sound they find. The instrumentals are striking, sharp and precise. After a minute and a half, they go into a Mark Morton riff delivery, cruising on new momentum. “Newcomers” Francesco & Aditya make their presence felt in the rhythm section, layering riff after riff with tight grooves.

I felt the vocals were out of pitch in several parts, not sure if this is a conscious decision by the vocalist. Though it is discernable, it diminishes the energy of the song in no way. Soaring solos greet you with furious technique and a sound of doom they have crafted so well.

Following with a thrash style incinerator, Turning Point furthermore accentuates the level of the band. They have a creative, distinct way of opening songs, riding on a high that is not borrowed momentum. Fueled energy that rises to fever pitch. The chorus and bridge section is a great nod to Devin Townsend and the riffs he pulls through beats, sounds great.

I appreciate the unfiltered vocals, but once again, it sounds off pitch in several places. Would be something that could furthermore amplify the energy of the track. The solo after the 3-minute mark is a fun embarkation for a listener, straight diving into the double bass part and then the funk inspired groove. Lot of stuff to take away from this track.

A rambunctious riff to follow

Suicide Forest is a massive, voluminous sound bearing sonic casket. With some softer guitar intros, we’re knee deep in the riff haven in the style of Dave Mustaine. It is a recurring elastic riff, fun to listen to, and heavy as hell. The guitars and drums are a special highlight in spearheading the energy of the song, a desperate scream as it personifies itself. It also debuts some growling, and that’s always exciting for a metalhead to hear. Like the roars of the Duplantier brothers. This song is the best on the album for me, and the buildup to it seems like it was worth it.

Instrumentals shift the pace

Silence keeps on track with the hard rock groove on a mysterious scale that allows a smog to cover the near few minutes of the song. It has a very Mid-Eastern sound quality to it, especially the guitars that dominate the intro very well. The instrumental can create a drop in pace before firing on all cylinders after the 2-minute mark, a heavier approach. It is their Orion for the Master of Puppets synonym this album is. The quick pace changes and virtuosic instrumentality of the musicians is showcased in a crystal case here, insane song.

Yes, we know it got to you as well. Here is another song about how badly the pandemic fucked us up mentally. Lockdown is an Overkill style screamer, with the springing riff being a heavyset weight plate over which the band create chaos. The growling suits the vocal quality of the singer, much better in approach than the first two songs. The little time signature changes make it a definite hook to listen to repeatedly.

False Gharial made some ripples with their 2018 EP Birth. After a lot of changes, in the band and the world, they are back. They are better suited, well oiled, and ready to rage in rock. The songs are a smashing success instrumentally, and I don’t want to sound like a broken record, should have sounded better. Nevertheless, the energy is infectious and an insane amount of effort has been put in the crafted nuances of the songs, that are clearly visible. They salute the legends that inspire them, and as a young band even stand on the same pedestal by ability some times. For what has transpired during a pandemic, this might be named Tragic Demise, but is a new beginning for False Gharial.