Any time a band breaks up, I imagine its fans experience something similar to what children go through when their parents are getting a divorce. They feel confused and hurt and wonder what they did wrong to make this happen. It's hard knowing that the members of your favorite band are still out there, but have decided not to make music together anymore. Why couldn't they stay together for the kids?
This is the emotional turbulence that fans of metal/progressive/post-hardcore band The Fall of Troy are currently experiencing. On Feb. 26, lead singer, guitarist and keyboardist Thomas Erak posted a blog entry on TFOT's MySpace page, announcing that the band members will go their separate ways following the conclusion of their "Marked Men of 2010" tour with Envy On The Coast and Twin Atlantic.
"After everything's said and done, there is no drama, there is no blow out, it's simply the three members of this band are on three different paths in our lives," Erak wrote. Later in the post, he added, "This tour coming up will be our last go round, and we really hope that all of you will come out and celebrate what has been so unreal and unbelievable let's dance one last time!"
The announcement prompted many despairing exclamations of "NOOOOO!" from fans commenting on the blog post. One fan even outright declared, "There's no point in living anymore."
As other less suicidal fans and Erak himself noted, however, TFOT had a good run. In their eight-year history, TFOT has released four full-length albums and two EPs, played hundreds of shows, had their songs featured in video games like "Saint's Row," "MLB 2K6" and "Guitar Hero III: Legends of the Rock," and inspired fans to explore their own musical abilities.
TFOT was founded by Erak, drummer Andrew Forsman and bassist Tim Ward in Mukilteo, Wash., in 2002. The three founding members originally played together in a four-piece metal band called The 30 Years War while they were still in high school, before that group disbanded and Erak, Forsman and Ward soldiered on to become The Fall of Troy. The name, like that of their former band, was chosen after the members flipped open a history textbook and skimmed the text until they happened upon something they liked. Only greatness could ensue from this type of decision-making.
The young trio quickly made a name for themselves and earned a reputation for their technical skills and their use of long, esoteric acronyms that don't actually stand for anything as song titles (try to decipher "F.C.P.S.I.T.S.G.E.P.G.E.P.G.E.P." if you have a spare week). In late 2007, Ward left the band to be replaced by Frank Ene. The band quickly overcame the setback, touring again in the spring of 2008.
Each of TFOT's songs features numerous variations in rhythm, a juxtaposition of melodic singing and harsh screaming and high-energy, frenetic finger work previously thought unachievable by humans. It's the kind of music that inspires appreciation no matter what genre you listen to. It's the same universal respect people have for Beethoven except the Beethoven in this case is a metalhead who plays guitar at rapid-fire speeds.
For those saddened by the loss of another great band, be consoled by the fact that Erak added he had no intention to stop making music. While weeping may be the initial response to the news of TFOT's breakup, it's probably best to heed Erak's suggestion and dance, at least one last time.
