Falaun – Fools

Fools is the debut full-length release from Liverpool’s three-piece Falaun. Originally released on April Fools’ Day 2020 via Dead Invoices Records, the copy I’ve got is actually a limited reprint of 30 copies on clear vinyl from the Bulgarian Anxiety Attack Records, with the proceeds going to grassroots human, animal and environmental rights organizations.

The album hits the right spot for me in many ways, not only musically, but also lyrically and aesthetically. It’s a great pleasure to find one of the newer so-called melodic crust bands that I like, especially since they do the classic dual male-female vocals with a harsh and piercing delivery.

I can’t help thinking that the band sound like an amalgamation of Burning Kitchen, To What End?, Ballast, From Ashes Rise and Tragedy, combining a newer fresh sound, with pummelling d-beats and classic anarcho-punk tropes. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a slow and melodic offering though, as the speed and intensity is pushed almost to the breaking point, with only one of the 17 tracks here, “Penance”, clocking in at around the three minute mark.

There’s just the right amount of melodic hooks and leads to create a dynamic and fresh approach to a brutal sounding combo, while Falaun’s lyrics are intelligent, intensely political and totally complement the music in that they’re not afraid to speak out against oppression and injustice in an urgent, passionate way—that’s what hardcore punk is all about anyway. I also love the linocut style artwork screen printed on the cover, the beautiful clear vinyl and the overall production of this LP. The thoughts, emotions, musical & artistic ensemble of this record make it a definite keeper that I’ll be spinning for a while.