Fall Of Troy's Thomas Erak: 'I Can't Honestly Say I'm A Guitar Player'

Thomas Erak is humble when it comes to his role as guitarist in the band Fall Of Troy. His ability to play highly complex riffs and sing lead vocals at the same time is something you don’t necessarily get in every band, but Erak still wants to make very clear that he is no guitarist. Sure he’s been playing for 8 years and could probably play circles around many of his peers – he’ll hear none of it. According to Erak, that’s merely a byproduct of his days as a drummer.

Whatever the reason behind his guitar prowess, Erak and his band Fall Of Troy are rapidly getting noticed for their unusual take on progressive rock. The band’s latest record Manipulator takes prog rock to the extreme, throwing in multiple tempos, vocal styles, and seemingly unrelated riffs all in the course of one song. Erak talked with UG writer Amy Kelly recently to shed a little light on how the drummer-turned-guitarist pieces together his eclectic songs.

UG: Your music heavily revolves around your ability to play intricate riffs while you’re also singing or screaming. Has your musical background lent itself to taking on a demanding role like that?

Thomas: I think it came from drumming. I’ve been playing guitar for 7 or 8 years now, and I’ve been playing drums for like 21 years. I mean, I’ve been playing bass longer than I’ve been playing guitar. So it’s sort of my last instrument. I think it comes from a background of jazz drumming and stuff like that. As far as songwriting goes with my actual guitar playing, it would be stuff my dad turned me onto when I was young like Hendrix or Zeppelin or The Beatles – or even Nirvana, old Green Day, Weezer.

Did you look up to any guitarists growing up?

I’d say Hendrix.

A lot of your songs are almost set up like a jazz song format, with multiple changes in the tempo. Do you think your songwriting style was influenced a lot by jazz bands?

I think it’s a combination of 3 things, those being jazz, punk rock, and metal. Those 3 are quite often very fast forms of music, but also are known for the ability to be heavy. And heavy is slow, right? When people refer to something being heavy, it’s slow. So to utilize the ability to go from being punk and fast and being able to break it down and still to kind of use that metal side where you slow it down, it becomes effective. I think we like to utilize that.

With jazz, how that ties into those 2, it often speeds up and slows down. The transitions are put together a lot like jazz. The transitions happen from lack of transitions. Parts fit into each other perfectly, and that’s kind of what jazz. There’s never really an exact thing to play in jazz. There’s a lot of improv going on and we do that kind of stuff, too, a lot live.

Are most of your songs written from improvisational sessions?

Sometimes. The way it really works is I’ll write songs. Sometimes I’ll write a full song. Andrew will write a song or Tim will have some stuff. Then we’ll kind of take it in and we’ll jam out, only we’ll have certain parts. At shows we’ll kind of improv live, and we’ll play those parts and they’ll evolve. Last night we were jamming and improving on stage, and this part came. Say that tonight that same part ends up kind of happening or maybe in a different form with the same kind of melody, then they evolve. They become parts of songs. We write songs in a lot of different ways to make our songs different.

I read that you were going for more of a pop sound on the latest record. Is that true?

I think that’s kind of close. We expanded a lot on pop rock on this album than we have before, and I think we listened to pop rock. That’s a scary word for a lot of people in the music industry, “pop rock.” That points to the mainstream. Sorry, but we’re not going to worry about that because we obviously are not the run-of-the-mill mainstream normal band. So we’re going to do everything we can to complete ourselves musically, too.

A lot of my favorite bands are pop rock. The Beatles were pop rock. But they were also one of those bands that went above and beyond genres. You listen to the last half of the record and it’s a metal record. It has the heaviest shit we've ever done on it, and it has the most melodic shit we’ve ever done on it. It’s just more extreme, I think.

How did you originally come up with the idea behind the single “Semi-Fiction”?

That song was actually a song that we wrote quite a while ago that was part of a concept record that we have almost finished that we’ve been writing for the past few years. It kind of just didn’t fit with the rest of those songs, but it was still a rad song. So we kind of took it and completely revised it. We wrote all the lyrics and everything and made a new song out of it. It took shape over time.

"We write songs in a lot of different ways to make our songs different."

Talk a little about the track “Cut Down All The Trees And Name The Streets After Them,” which almost has a Rush feel to it.

Yeah. When I was writing the record, that was one of the last songs I think we wrote. I kind of wanted to go back to our roots on our first record, where there was like a few songs that were 2 ½, 2 minutes songs. A short, fast, effective song, but with a catchy melody. We put that song together in our practice space over the course of 2 weeks along with “Sledgehammer.” That song was more of a difficult song to write because it has so much shit going on. Those songs kind of took shape together. They kind of have similar sounds a little bit.

The song “Quarter Past” is the surprise of the album, almost sounding like a straightforward blues tune.

That points back to our roots in classic rock with Zeppelin, Hendrix, stuff like that and the jazz stuff I was talking to you about. It kind of has the feel to it. We were kind of calming down and maybe trying to write a song that has a little more substance in other places than just being spastic and crazy. Playing a song that’s actually memorable and maybe is timeless.

Were you always interested in being a vocalist as much as being a drummer or guitarist?

In ways, kind of. My whole dad’s side of the family is a singer. My sister is a singer. It’s just always been that way. I think I definitely took a big step from the first record to the second record, and definitely from the second record to the newest record. I worked really, really hard on my voice between Doppelganger and Manipulator.

Did you take vocal lessons?

No. My dad is an amazing singer, so I would kind of go to him and try to learn about techniques and stuff. I wouldn’t call it a vocal lesson. I’d call it more of me trying to learn things, and him trying to get a way to figure it out. I’m self-taught, so I don’t think he wants to take away from that. I feel like ultimately there’s always going to be someone better than you. You’re kind of like using their style to learn to play an instrument, when in actuality I feel like playing instrument is any way it works for you – as long as it works for you.

In terms of playing complex riffs while you’re singing, did that just come down to a lot of practice?

I play a lot of when I’m at home and I try to improv as much as possible. That’s where you’ll find yourself doing things that you don’t know how to do. It’s when you have to. I think more importantly than anything else, it’s the one thing that’s really, really brought me to where I am as a musician in general because I can’t honestly say I’m a guitar player! I don’t know how to read music on guitar. I know how to read music with drums. I know how to read rhythm. I kind of know what a circle of fifths is. I don’t really. I’m not taught like that, but I know scales. I know the shit I learned, the shit that I felt was important to know if I was going to hang out with guitar players!

More than anything else, it’s just playing with different kinds of musicians. I have friends that are jazz guitar players or drummers, and it doesn’t matter to them if I’m in a punk band as long as I can hang. It doesn’t matter to them if I know the difference between an A minor and an A minor 7th, as long as I can play it and do it.

Would you consider yourself not much of a gearhead, either?

No, completely the opposite. I love guitars so much because I know everything about the instrument. The amplification and all that stuff, I think it’s so rad. I’m a total gear geek and shit! I’m all about my gear and stuff, but that comes from being a drummer because drummers are stoked on drums. Drummers are stoked on gear in general. I’ve never met a drummer that isn’t into bass amps or guitar amps.

I’ve noticed you usually play Gibson for the most part.

Yes, I’m definitely a Gibson man.

What is it about Gibson that suits Fall Of Troy so well?

I have an SG and I have a Les Paul, and they’re just art. They’re beyond being just good guitars. They’re like handcrafted and they’re art. They feel like it, too. When you pick up a high-end Gibson, you know what you’re playing. You know you’re getting your money’s worth and shit.

It’s the same thing with Orange. I just got an Orange sponsorship pretty recently, and that’s the one I’m really stoked on. I’m really stoked about amplification. I’m all about playing as loud as possible all the time.

"A lot of my favorite bands are pop rock."

What are some techniques you have used in the studio? On a few of the record’s songs it definitely sounds like there’s delay.

Yeah. I’m a big fan of delay pedals. You can create a lot of guitar effects if you have a bunch of pedals. You can do a lot of shit with a lot of pedals, but when it comes to amps I just honestly believe turning everything all the way up. If you’ve got a good amp, it’ll make you sound good. That’s kind of the test of an amp, is to rail it. Rail everything and see how it sounds. That’s how you’re supposed to run all the Oranges, all the old Marshalls. Now there are all these Master Volume heads and stuff, these 5150s and quadruple rectifiers. That’s cool shit, too. That’s not really my style. It’s too much gain for me. I like the mid-gain in the amps. I like to crank the mid-gain amps.

Have you always been inclined towards the mid-gain amps?

I’ve always had that philosophy, but I didn’t exactly warrant the right kinds of amps to do it always. Our first record was done with a JCM 900, which is a cool amp. It was kind of one of the later ones, so I had to dial it in more. I feel the more you’ve got to dial an amp in, the worse an amplifier is. Like with all the old amps, you just turn everything up and they sound like gold. That’s how my Oranges are. That’s what I’d suggest to anybody that’s into the kinds of guitar sounds that I project.

Do you experiment as much with pedals as you do with amps?

I like to stick to what I learn. But yeah, I like to experiment a lot. I used to have a pitch shifter quite often, and I haven’t been running that in a while. Delays and filters are cool effects as well.

About a year ago you played a show in Columbus, OH, and announced, “This is the last song The Fall of Troy will ever play together.” What exactly happened that night?

(Laughs) Honestly, it was at a time where we were just really, really sick and tired of being on the road. We had been on the road for a long time. Honestly, since that show we’ve probably played more shows than we played before that show. It’s kind of like ancient history for us at this point, but it wasn’t serious. We’re young and we yell at each other sometimes!

There’s been talk that you are already working on a follow-up to Manipulator, tentatively titled Phantom On The Horizon.

That’s done up to where we want it to be done right now. When we get a little time off, then we will finish it. When the time is right, we will drop that. It will be 8 songs that will end up being kind of one piece of music. And it’s going to be a story, I guess a concept record. When it comes up, we’ll probably do shows where we play that record the whole way through. Then we’ll probably do shows where we don’t play any of it.

Do you think the stage show will be a little bit more dramatic when you perform the concept record?

I don’t think it will be theatrical or anything like that, but we’re thinking about working on some banners, some stage props maybe, and some lights to make it set the mood. The music hopefully will be the spectacle, right?

Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2007

Comments

[PastaOfMuppets]

Sweet, I love these guys.

[_stalemate_]

Fall Of Troy are better than 90% of all bands out now, no lie.

[t0mmy9]

they grow on you

[omarrodrigez]

Hearing this guy talk about equipment and guitar really makes him sound like he isn't a guitar player.
"I feel the more you’ve got to dial an amp in, the worse an amplifier is"
That's just funny. Don't get me wrong, the band isn't bad or anything, he just doesn't sound very smart equipment-wise.

[Horebane]

Come on Fall of troy! Make the new album have less screaming!
God I love them when he isn't screaming an entire goddamn song. "The Dark Trail" is the perfect blend of screaming and singing, they should stick to little to no screaming!

[olif8]

I absolutely love FoT. And despite what alot of the more hardcore fans say, Manipulator was a fantastic album.

[1000cleverlines]

the band's name is THE fall of troy

[1000cleverlines]

love this band. great interview amy! i am seeing them nov 2nd with coheed!

[sakura'sdarkest]

I love this man...

[Nick-182]

i bum this band, does anyone know what the new song is called that theyve been playing live recently?

[A Green Blink]

This band is the best! i'm going to see them oct 9th

[howaceisjoe]

brilliant brilliant band

[sebbsmith]

I don't know what it's called but it's pretty screamy.

I also love TFOT. Doppelganger is one of my favourite ever albums.

[BadFishRiffs]

t0mmy9 wrote:

they grow on you

I hated this band at first and now they're my hands down favorite.

[TehJermie]

thom is one of the best new guitar players coming up. anyone who doubts it should get their hands on the old demos.

[dragon77]

Horebane :
Come on Fall of troy! Make the new album have less screaming!
God I love them when he isn't screaming an entire goddamn song. "The Dark Trail" is the perfect blend of screaming and singing, they should stick to little to no screaming!

I agree with you compleatly man.

[jpast]

BadFishRiffs :
t0mmy9 wrote:

they grow on you


I hated this band at first and now they're my hands down favorite


Same here. The first time I heard it I thought the guitar was amazing and then I found out he sings and plays which impressed me so much. Good Interview can definitely tell he wasnt a guitar player first but that is cool with me. (played piano before guitar here)

[Pertenozzo]

TFOT is one of my main influences. I personally think that Thomas is a great guitarist.

[Black Revolver]

the fall of troy is an amazing band. even if you dont like them, you still gotta respect their talent.

[STriNG-RaY]

thomas erak is the band
hooray for TFOT

[TheFallen1328]

TFOT is such a great band. Can't wait to see em' with Coheed on Nov. 27

[xCoilx]

dragon77 wrote:

Horebane :
Come on Fall of troy! Make the new album have less screaming!
God I love them when he isn't screaming an entire

\goddamn song. "The Dark Trail" is the perfect blend of screaming and singing, they should stick to little to no screaming!


I agree with you compleatly man.

i dont see why people think screaming is a talent anyone can do it

[Steve The Plank]

I love the band, but I was shocked when I read that he doesn't really know much theory. Some of their music sounds so technical.

Still, great band, nice interview.

[MCRrocks]

i wonder if they will be putting the ghosthip parts on a new record, maybe an ep

[philjay]

Great stuff. Original.

[MuffinMan]

xCoilx wrote:
i dont see why people think screaming is a talent anyone can do it

Anyone can play guitar, too.

[MetalBassist93]

all of their albums so far r amazing

[kittehkat]

is this interview exculsive to ug?cuz if it is thats pretty cool.what i mean was this interview copy and pasted from another website,or did someone from ultiamte guitar actually talk to this guys?anyways,they rock.

[lateraluspiral]

amazing amazing band. love them.

[PillarFreak]

[quote=Steve The Plank]I love the band, but I was shocked when I read that he doesn't really know much theory. Some of their music sounds so technical.[/quote]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing... :/

[toolemerica]

o hell ya this guy is a pretty good guitarist, im cing them in concert with coheed

[kevinm4435]

This entire interview makes him sound like a douche. Something tells me he's not actually like that. Sick band.

[eltravo]

omarrodrigez wrote:

Hearing this guy talk about equipment and guitar really makes him sound like he isn't a guitar player.
"I feel the more you’ve got to dial an amp in, the worse an amplifier is"

That's just funny. Don't get me wrong, the band isn't bad or anything, he just doesn't sound very smart equipment-wise.

Ive talked to him a couple of times about gear, he really does know his shit, he just likes his amps railed.

apparently he was sponsored by gibson through an IM.

[PDMChubby]

I've been waiting for an interview with him for a while, greatest band today. Sick shit.

[gibsonLP68]

between the buried and me is playing their full cd "colors" all the way through non stop during the tour they are on now.....fall of troy is the shiiiit too tho haha

[dougiecrystals]

Thomas Erak? Humble?
Funny.

The longer I've known this band, the worse they've gotten.
Don't get me wrong, they're a great band, their self-titled being one of the best albums ever, but...
I don't like the direction that they're taking their music with (judging from the last album).
Nor do I appreciate Thomas' growing ego.

[Side Effect]

Thomas is a great guitarist. The Fall of Troy is just amazing. I really want to catch a live show one day.

[deathbyawesome]

If hes been playing guitar for 8 years and hes that incredible, and hes been playing drums for 21, imagine how good he is at drums.

[spoolunking]

I strongly recomend every one to check out everything this band has done. Even back to the Ghostship demos. Their live show is easily one of the best I've seen.

[whitebluesboy]

How could he be playing drums for 21 years when he is only 22?

[matthedrivein]

he played on pots and pans when he was a baby

the fall of troy is the shit

[AccidentsHappen]

he said -LIKE- 21 years, so i'm sure he's implying that he's been playing basically his whole life.

the fall of troy, sick band. thomas erak is incredible, the stuff he plays is hard enough, but singing on top of that. phenominal.

[IUseAPurplePick]

MCRrocks wrote:

i wonder if they will be putting the ghosthip parts on a new record, maybe an ep

They're making Phantoms on the Horizon when they find time to record it, which should be soon, and they'll be making a split ep with The Number 12 Looks Like You soon as well.

Ghostship Part V is my favorite song by TFoT. Great band. In my opinion, Thomas is not the center of the band, I think it's all equal. Thomas's singing and playing guitar at the same time draw people into it, but once they pay deep attention, i think they realize how crappy the band would really be if Tim Ward and Andrew Forsman weren't as good as they are. They're an amazing band.

[2lazy2getbetter]

oh man. i love thomas erak. i remember the day i first heard them. i was walking through the halls at school and my buddy scumbag ryan brings his cd player to me and puts on "mouths like sidewinder missles". i was already impressed but when he told me the lead singer was the only guitarist i was shitting bricks. and yeah the singing can get weird and annoying at first but for some reason this band just grows on you the more you listen to it.

[2icdude]

AccidentsHappen wrote:

he said -LIKE- 21 years, so i'm sure he's implying that he's been playing basically his whole life.

the fall of troy, sick band. thomas erak is incredible, the stuff he plays is hard enough, but singing on top of that. phenominal.

yeah its gotta be maaaddd hard to sing on top of the complex riffs he plays too dayum

[recliner33]

And heavy is slow, right? When people refer to something being heavy, it’s slow

That's what I've been trying to tell people for years. Heavy is slow. Everybody these days think heavy has to do with playing fast and having screaming vocals. This is why Black Sabbath is considered the heaviest band of all time because they play slow. I laugh when all these metalhead try telling me that all these death metal bands are heavier then bands like sabbath. Even the eagles of death metal are heavier then most death metal bands.

Anyways, a bit off topic but this was a good interview. I should check this band out. I heard the name a million times but I can't recall if I ever heard their music.

[MatrixClaw]

FCPREMIX - Probably the coolest intro and song ever. The Fall of Troy own.

[evan1234567]

i love fot!!

[Gracen]

this was awesome. erak is a great and unique guitar player. i really wanted them to talk about the song "caught up" thought. i wanted to know where he got the idea and where did the concept come from?

[benjonotbanjo]

i touched him. he was crowd surfing and i touched him.

[mn8b]

love these guys

Wow, I'm proud of you guys. This is the first column I've come across with almost no spam or anything!

Checkedzors.

[slayer7666]

fall of troy pwn so much.
listen to them if you havent.
cant wait for new record

[tikboi]

i love tfot just amazing 3 piece

Yes, I love TFOT also. Erak is a great guitar player, he must be crazy.

And you guys are my column users of the week.

Checked.

[flambe chicken]

Great band, I've just been getting in to them.

[minichibi]

It's bothering me that I keep on reading Fall out Boy instead of fall of troy.... I feel guilty.

[Dithindious]

Don't like the band too much but the guy seems pretty kool. I respect him for learning what he likes but being open to other things for influences!
off topic I'd have to disagre with ya recliner33, heavy CAN mean slow but not necesarily. Thatd be like sayin that elevator music is the heaviest music ever!! :P but I'm pretty sure theres more to it that speed, if not check out Crowbar and Eyehategod for heavy lol

[richard_edwards]

they take some getting used to, but theyre amazing. each one of them. thomas is so talented. it would be nice to see him on drums one day.

[SpiralStatic]

Erak's incredible; I missed an opportunity to see them live; but I was just too tired (was at a gig the night before as well)

The stuff they did as the Thirty Years war was pretty good as well

[i_am_metalhead]

Even if you dont like TFOT you have to admit that Erak is a very talented musician!!

I love these guys! Can't wait to see what the future holds for them!

[frnzd]

Saw them recently in London. Most amazing gig ever.
I remember when a friend of mine doubted they would be any good live. He was fairly shocked.

Erak is so fast on the fret board its extrodinary.

[frnzd]

And they're already writing new stuff, as played at that gig.

[sundayserenade]

MatrixClaw wrote:

FCPREMIX - Probably the coolest intro and song ever. The Fall of Troy own.

Thats the most annoying song they've ever written...seriously. I love the band and am seeing them october 29th! Great interview

[RaiLeff]

this dued truly rocks
He's my idol
Along with the band

[ricthesic]

omarrodrigez wrote:

Hearing this guy talk about equipment and guitar really makes him sound like he isn't a guitar player.
"I feel the more you’ve got to dial an amp in, the worse an amplifier is"
That's just funny. Don't get me wrong, the band isn't bad or anything, he just doesn't sound very smart equipment-wise.

its like hearing one of your friends who just started learning talking about gear and shit lol

[recliner33]

ricthesic wrote:

omarrodrigez wrote:

Hearing this guy talk about equipment and guitar really makes him sound like he isn't a guitar player.
"I feel the more you’ve got to dial an amp in, the worse an amplifier is"
That's just funny. Don't get me wrong, the band isn't bad or anything, he just doesn't sound very smart equipment-wise.


its like hearing one of your friends who just started learning talking about gear and shit lol

Maybe he doesn't know anything about his gear because he is too busy playing it then talking about it. I'm the same way, I don't know jack shit about guitar gear, but I still play all the time. I just hate it when all these kids talk about their gear and how awesome it is and then they try to play and they suck. I know not everyone is like that, but there's quite a few.

[derekrck]

nature vs. nurture?????

nature obviously wins, this guy has so much talent and so do the other members.

love em!!

[orion284]

MuffinMan wrote:

xCoilx wrote:
i dont see why people think screaming is a talent anyone can do it
Anyone can play guitar, too.

i can't scream worth shit

[kradamek]

recliner33 wrote:

ricthesic wrote:

omarrodrigez wrote:

Hearing this guy talk about equipment and guitar really makes him sound like he isn't a guitar player.
"I feel the more you’ve got to dial an amp in, the worse an amplifier is"
That's just funny. Don't get me wrong, the band isn't bad or anything, he just doesn't sound very smart equipment-wise.


its like hearing one of your friends who just started learning talking about gear and shit lol

Maybe he doesn't know anything about his gear because he is too busy playing it then talking about it. I'm the same way, I don't know jack shit about guitar gear, but I still play all the time. I just hate it when all these kids talk about their gear and how awesome it is and then they try to play and they suck. I know not everyone is like that, but there's quite a few.

well said.

[RomeoAGOGO]

this man is a god

[the boogieman]

he does some neat stuff

and theres nothing wrong with being a gearhead

[Infamou$17]

Self-titled album for the win. Dude is the most overlooked guitar talent today, besides Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

[Guitar_Poet]

i have to say ill give this guy respect for being able to sing over the stuff he plays.... but otherwise....

im not a big fan of the music. there are some cool riffs every now and then, but for the most part, it sounds like a bunch of pop-punk-like riffs pieced together, and played faster... at least thats what the verses/choruses sound like.... im also not at all a fan of the screaming-type vocals, or that pop-punk/boy-bandish type of singing... which probably help me like the band any more. its like alien ant farm meets a7x meets greenday... with something else thrown in.

overall, pretty decent guitarist, but IMO, the band isnt that special. i might actually like them without the vocals...

[comehonorface]

1000cleverlines wrote:

love this band. great interview amy! i am seeing them nov 2nd with coheed!

oh i wish !!! i love coheed. and these guys would just bring for an even more amazing show!~

Checked.

[Nybb]

xCoilx :
dragon77 wrote:

Horebane :
Come on Fall of troy! Make the new album have less screaming!
God I love them when he isn't screaming an entire

\goddamn song. "The Dark Trail" is the perfect blend of screaming and singing, they should stick to little to no screaming!


I agree with you compleatly man.



i dont see why people think screaming is a talent anyone can do it

I don't see why people think guitar playing is a talent, anyone can do it.

Seriously, screaming takes the confidence to get up on stage and do it as with any other musical act,it takes technique to do it right so you don't shred your throat while doing it, its hard to scream in the right way (ranging from growls to shrieks), and it takes discretion to when to scream and when to not.


In response to the interview...Thomas Erak is one of my guitar idols. Sweet interview, but his lack of theory knowledge surprises me, lol.

[w00p]

Nybb : I don't see why people think guitar playing is a talent, anyone can do it.

I think both of the things is cool, try to be a guitar teacher and/or teaching people how to sing, in for example high school when they don't have a basic knowledge of the 2. believe me, not anyone can do it! so don't sound so darn arrogant and to try to tell us in some sneaky way that you're "oh, so good". that's just lame. just be happy that someone got so far on their talent and hope for the best with your own

Erak is brilliant, and sounds very cool about the next album. but it's kinda dull really, think it's about to get kliché about that "story telling album" thingie. MCR just did that. anyway, it might be good so, gotta buy it anyway

[AdemaOnYourHead]

When I first heard of TFoT I expected to hate them, but they are pretty damn good. Just less screaming, please? When you're screaming a whole song, it's just irritating. A little is fine.

[metal Lover]

I can't stand his vocals but there's no denying his talent.

[NorCalLos]

I read this article along with all the comment and thought, "I better go check this band out!" Boy, was I disappointed. This dude can't sing for crap and the guitar work is mostly average at best. There were a few cool licks here and there, but overall the music stinks.

[omarrodrigez]

NorCalLos wrote:

I read this article along with all the comment and thought, "I better go check this band out!" Boy, was I disappointed. This dude can't sing for crap and the guitar work is mostly average at best. There were a few cool licks here and there, but overall the music stinks.

I agree man. I don't think they're terrible or anything but calling him brilliant? that's a bit of a stretch.

[omarrodrigez]

Nybb wrote:

xCoilx :
dragon77 wrote:

Horebane :
Come on Fall of troy! Make the new album have less screaming!
God I love them when he isn't screaming an entire

\goddamn song. "The Dark Trail" is the perfect blend of screaming and singing, they should stick to little to no screaming!


I agree with you compleatly man.



i dont see why people think screaming is a talent anyone can do it

I don't see why people think guitar playing is a talent, anyone can do it.

Seriously, screaming takes the confidence to get up on stage and do it as with any other musical act,it takes technique to do it right so you don't shred your throat while doing it, its hard to scream in the right way (ranging from growls to shrieks), and it takes discretion to when to scream and when to not.


In response to the interview...Thomas Erak is one of my guitar idols. Sweet interview, but his lack of theory knowledge surprises me, lol.

Saying screaming takes talent and guitar doesn't, is one of the most ignorant things I've ever heard.

[Obelisk]

Talent doesn't even mean anything. All it comes down to is intelligence and drive/passion.

Someone said they listened and thought the guitar parts sounded like A7X mixed with Greenday? You for sure have not listened to more than two clips of two songs, let alone any song all the way through. Dude, listen to ****ing A Man. A Plan. A Canal. Panama.

And to the people who are sadly confused by Thomas' statement that "I feel the more you’ve got to dial an amp in, the worse an amplifier is", what he means is, the less you have to search your amp for the right sound, the better. Jeeze.

[C&C Magik]

w00p wrote:

Nybb : I don't see why people think guitar playing is a talent, anyone can do it.

I think both of the things is cool, try to be a guitar teacher and/or teaching people how to sing, in for example high school when they don't have a basic knowledge of the 2. believe me, not anyone can do it! so don't sound so darn arrogant and to try to tell us in some sneaky way that you're "oh, so good". that's just lame. just be happy that someone got so far on their talent and hope for the best with your own

Erak is brilliant, and sounds very cool about the next album. but it's kinda dull really, think it's about to get kliché about that "story telling album" thingie. MCR just did that. anyway, it might be good so, gotta buy it anyway

No way is a story telling album cheesy. Coheed has multiple concept albums, all tied together. Infact, you would call them a concept BAND. One of the coolest ideas I've heard of.

Wish Coheed and these guys would come to arkansas... D: havn't heard much of FOT, but they do sound pretty good from what ived heard. I might try to go to a dallas show.

[SL!!!]

Horebane wrote:

Come on Fall of troy! Make the new album have less screaming!
God I love them when he isn't screaming an entire goddamn song. "The Dark Trail" is the perfect blend of screaming and singing, they should stick to little to no screaming!

No way! You've got to have them both in heavy doses. I love The Fall of Troy. They're getting to big though, now i will have to pay more to see them hahaha. Oh well, at least lots of people will go and be awesome together.

[Lucid_Dreamer10]

I think i agree with half of the people here. The screaming needs to stop. I mostly listen to the intros of most of their songs, then i have to change it because my ears start to bleed. The guitar work is original and cool, but the rest is more emo crap....
And btw, who cares if a guy knows everything about gear? if he can play, i'll listen.

[omarrodrigez]

Lucid_Dreamer10 wrote:

I think i agree with half of the people here. The screaming needs to stop. I mostly listen to the intros of most of their songs, then i have to change it because my ears start to bleed. The guitar work is original and cool, but the rest is more emo crap....
And btw, who cares if a guy knows everything about gear? if he can play, i'll listen.

I agree, but if you read the interview it seems like he knows nothing of gear.

[MustangMan311]

Haha, the rest is more emo crap? I love ignorance.

[SweetFancyMoses]

This band used to be pretty good when they were getting started out. A friend of mine used to date the bassist. They are kinda *******s but then who isint? I hope they do less of the pop rock shit. I really liked their first record.

[BuryMeInBliss]

[quote]They're making Phantoms on the Horizon when they find time to record it, which should be soon, and they'll be making a split ep with The Number 12 Looks Like You soon as well.
[quote]


Firstly, I completely disgree, you have to have equal portions, if you took away the screaming parts from their songs then everything would sound the same and bland - most fans would turn away and never go near their new stuff and live in the Doppelganger era, including me. And how can people not listen to it? Even in the small quatities that appear on the albums, its not enough to 'make your ears bleed' - get accustomed to it! It sounds good!

Secondly, split EP with #12 Looks Like You??

FUCKING AWESOME

Long Live The Fall Of Troy (With screaming)

[2late2know]

orion284 wrote:

MuffinMan wrote:

xCoilx wrote:
i dont see why people think screaming is a talent anyone can do it
Anyone can play guitar, too.
i can't scream worth shit

maybe anyone can do it, but that doesnt mean anyone can do it correctly. again just like playing the guitar there are certain techniques

[TDAJGuitarist]

omarrodrigez wrote:

Hearing this guy talk about equipment and guitar really makes him sound like he isn't a guitar player.
"I feel the more you’ve got to dial an amp in, the worse an amplifier is"
That's just funny. Don't get me wrong, the band isn't bad or anything, he just doesn't sound very smart equipment-wise.

I agree...He isnt much of a guitar player....He uses alott of delay to make it sound like he going nuts.

But I will say he has came up with a style that is simply his own and I dont mind the Fall Of Troy at all...But idk...His guitar playing has never impressed me.

[FarewellNikki]

He is a wonderful guitar player.

I'm assuming you've only heard FCPREMIX if yuo say he uses lots of delay alot.

[FarewellNikki]

*you say he uses delay alot to cover up his playing.

It's late...

[Scourge441]

I was listening to these guys yesterday for the first time ever.

Good stuff.

[RedDeath9]

The Fall of Troy is probably one of my favorite bands. And he is a good guitarist... Not amazing, but good.

Also, FCPREMIX is one of the only songs he uses delay in...

[roostercogburnz]

This interview is like deja-vu from when I talked to him at a show.. I snuck into the show before it started (iknow>.>) and got to watch tfot jaming and stuff, and YES he is an guitarist, no doubt about it.

He's just modest imo. Just b/c he doesnt put lolsweeppicking or any other of that crap in their music doesnt mean he cant do it =p Anyone that says they dont like FoT, (seem) to be narrowminded and prolly like the same o' boring repeative copycat bands out there. amirite?

[roostercogburnz]

Since I dont know how to edit: I meant to put AMAZING guitarist.... Better work this time sorry >.>

Checked.

[MissingAChance]

BuryMeInBliss wrote:

[quote]They're making Phantoms on the Horizon when they find time to record it, which should be soon, and they'll be making a split ep with The Number 12 Looks Like You soon as well.
[quote]


Firstly, I completely disgree, you have to have equal portions, if you took away the screaming parts from their songs then everything would sound the same and bland - most fans would turn away and never go near their new stuff and live in the Doppelganger era, including me. And how can people not listen to it? Even in the small quatities that appear on the albums, its not enough to 'make your ears bleed' - get accustomed to it! It sounds good!

Secondly, split EP with #12 Looks Like You??

FUCKING AWESOME

Long Live The Fall Of Troy (With screaming)

I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!

[RedDeath9]

roostercogburnz wrote:
He's just modest imo. Just b/c he doesnt put lolsweeppicking or any other of that crap in their music doesnt mean he cant do it =p Anyone that says they dont like FoT, (seem) to be narrowminded and prolly like the same o' boring repeative copycat bands out there. amirite?

He sweep picks in The Dark Trail, but I think that's it.

[xdolmayan]

Another Underrated Band.

[C&C Magik]

not a big friend of screaming. but if these guys would calm down a bit, then these would be one of my favorites along with Coheed, regardless tho of the screaming the TFOT and C&C tour will melt faces.

[wrecker17]

i Love your guys first and second albums but the new one "Manipulater" not a big fan, still love you guys though!

[lateraluspiral]

manipulator is actually my favorite by them. i have no idea why, thought. cant ****ing wait for their new material

[malthusiandrill]

I hate over the top modest quotes such as the one in the title, but he is talented to be able to perform the way he does.

[bamkarl91]

There shows are absoloutley amazing
i went to one a few weeks back in portsmouth (south united kingdom)
and me and my friend sat there with are mouths open for the whole gig, its actually mind blowing

people say the screaming is bad?
i think it really makes a difference
imagine it with out the screaming?
its the thrill of waiting for his great high voice after the screams in the new album that are brilliant

and to everyone who doesent think the new album is that great
me and my friends didnt rate it either
until i gave it a couple of listens and they did the same
and now i think its the best album yet

the fall of troy kick ass
i met tom
he walked through the crowd no body noticed him apart from me and my friend so we went and go are picture with him
my favourite gig so far
and my favourite band!
fot for life!

[H_ngm_n]

i think the coolest thing is, that the first Ghosthip Demo they came out with, they were all only 15-16 years old. Most people cant make something that awesome musically all their life. Even cooler, Thomas had only been playing guitar 4 years when they recorded the stuff.

Checkedzors.

[binjajer]

Ehh... Where have all the good old musicians gone?

You don't hear, say, Knopfler saying "I know a lot about gear and shit. Yeah, and shit too. Oh, and you know what? My guitar has six stings and shit! And is has those cool thingies with coils and shit! That's just awesome, innit, right, shit?"

ehh, kids these days...

[Esparcia]

uhm.. anyone recommend any song? Or is everything just screaming? Otherwise there is no point for me listening to more songs

[omarrodrigez]

binjajer wrote:

Ehh... Where have all the good old musicians gone?

You don't hear, say, Knopfler saying "I know a lot about gear and shit. Yeah, and shit too. Oh, and you know what? My guitar has six stings and shit! And is has those cool thingies with coils and shit! That's just awesome, innit, right, shit?"

ehh, kids these days...

I totally agree, whenever her said "You can create a lot of guitar effects if you have a bunch of pedals. You can do a lot of shit with a lot of pedals, but when it comes to amps I just honestly believe turning everything all the way up." I just thought "wow, this guy sound like he's been playing for 2 weeks".

[Guitarfoo1!1]

I enjoy them. I wish they would omit the screaming. Screaming is on the same level as rapping...its not music.

[Headbanger_1]

xCoilx wrote:

dragon77 wrote:

Horebane :
Come on Fall of troy! Make the new album have less screaming!
God I love them when he isn't screaming an entire

\goddamn song. "The Dark Trail" is the perfect blend of screaming and singing, they should stick to little to no screaming!


I agree with you compleatly man.



i dont see why people think screaming is a talent anyone can do it

you should prove that. it takes a lot to do it the right way. and everyone sounds different doing it.

[roostercogburnz]

erm.. Yea RedDeath9, that falls under sweeping... But when I think of sweep's.. I think of bands that "spam" the shit out of em.. Like Human Abstract lol. I think you get what I'm saying XD

[malthusiandrill]

I takes alot to do the screaming. Some bands however, just belt out shit. And some just don't sound good doing it.

[cmbx16]

NorCalLos wrote:

I read this article along with all the comment and thought, "I better go check this band out!" Boy, was I disappointed. This dude can't sing for crap and the guitar work is mostly average at best. There were a few cool licks here and there, but overall the music stinks.

Sorry but you're actually an idiot. Alternative Press magazine wouldnt have named him guitarist of the year for 2007 if that were true. Right now they are one of the most creative and unique bands out there. You know why you dont like them? Its because they are an acquired taste, as is screaming in music in general. Not a lot of people on this planet truly have good taste in music, hence why the 90's was run by boy bands like fukn nysnc and backstreet boys bullcrap. Even though they are one of my favorite bands right now I feel that Thomas Erak does have quite a bit ego and I think he tries to come off humble when hes actually very egotistical. Have you seen their videos on youtube or seen them play live? He runs in the center of the stage and hogs it up. Seriously youll watch the bassist in the back corner of the stage playing next to drums while thomas "pretends" to be humble making hand gestures to the crowd when hes about to shred. Im not saying hes not entitled to do that because hes amazing and he does what he does, but im saying hes very far from what I'd consider humble. To top it off personally I think If I was doing an interview in his shoes in this situation with a big time website like ug Id have my whole band be there. I mean seriously its only a 3 piece band its not like 2 more people at an interview is a crowd, they all write they all play, they should all share equal spotlight.

[cmbx16]

Also, I think they should find a singer so they could do so much more with their music. Tom erak isnt that great of a singer at all. I doubt theyd have someone else sing though because I truly do believe thomas erak needs to be the center of attention, more reasons leaving me to believe thomas erak is way far from being humble, hes just clever with his image.

[blaqk_fiend]

dude his screaming is ****in insane as shit
especially on ****ing their debut. damn

[blaqk_fiend]

i thnk his singing is the best ive heard
ever
like ****in period its insane as shit

[blaqk_fiend]

AND, AND his guitar is incredible! to all those shit****s out there who say his guitar playing is "mediocre" screw you i mean jesus listen to i just got this symphony going and try to figure that shit out . you cant . so go crawl back up ur moms ass

[blaqk_fiend]

**** you