First Signs of Frost
First Signs Of Frost | |
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First Signs Of Frost performing live at Fibbers, York (UK) 2009 First Signs Of Frost performing live at Fibbers, York (UK) 2009 | |
Background information | |
Also known as | FSOF |
Origin | South East, London, England, UK |
Genres | Post-hardcore, progressive rock, alternative rock, ambient |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | Zestone Records Smalltown Records Alaskan Records |
Members | Owen Hughes-Holland Adam Mason Alex Harford Andy C Saxton Daniel Lawrence |
Past members | Daniel Tompkins Simon Poulton William Gates Dan Oehlman |
First Signs of Frost is an English post-hardcore/tech rock band from South East, London. Forming in July 2004, the four piece originally conformed by guitarist and vocalist Owen Hughes-Holland along with guitarist Adam Mason, bassist Simon Poulton and drummer William Gates. After embarking on numerous tours the band made a significant impact on the UK's underground rock scene.
They have shared the stage with Senses Fail, LostProphets, Sikth, Architects, Enter Shikari, You Me At Six, The Blackout and No Use For A Name.
Biography
Beginnings, "In Our Final Chapter" and "The Lost Cause" EP's (2004–2007)
In 2004 they released independently their first EP titled "In Our Final Chapter" and received press coverage in publications such as Metal Hammer,[1] Rock Sound, Big Cheese and Salvo magazines.
In 2007 they released "The Lost Cause" on 26 September through Zestone Records (Japan). They toured the UK in order to promote the release.
Tompkins' arrival and full length recording (2007–2009)
In 2007 the band started writing material for their full-length debut titled Atlantic. Daniel Tompkins joins the band shortly after their UK tour with Exit Ten. They worked in the album production with band's friend Acle Kahney, Who had previously produced the Myspace demo of the song "Through The Exterior".[2] The band also announced that three songs from the previous EP were in the main album. The songs were "The Saviour", "Expert In Trickery" and "Day Of The Collapse". The band explained why they put previous material in their first full length in an interview with Altsounds. Bassist Simon Poulton stated:
"We were a little uncomfortable at first about using slightly older material, and I think if we'd done the album as a 4 piece, we wouldn't have used them. Having Dan join the band really revived those songs though, the arrangements have been bettered. We can now obviously do the songs justice with Dan's voice, they now sound the way we wanted them to sound before, and we definitely want more people to hear them!"[3]
The band also released a split EP with The Casino Brawl and Elias Last Day via Smalltown Records. The EP featured two tracks from each band.[4] FSOF song's were "Through The Exterior" and "Sing Sing Aint My Style". The split was well received, as FSOF was reviewed as the most original and promising of the three bands.[5]
Departure of Tompkins from Atlantic (2009–present)
On 18 July 2009 the band announced on their Myspace's official blog that vocalist Daniel Tompkins will leave the band. However they also stated that they were still friends and that they wished him "the absolute best for the future".[6] Later it would be stated in an interview that Tompkins would leave the band due to other commitments.
Atlantic was released worldwide on 25 November 2009, and received positive reviews from magazines and sites such as Metal Hammer and Kerrang!.[7]
On December 11, 2009, FSOF announced to their fans the existence of an exclusive Mp3 track available to download for free on the website MusicGlue.com.[8] The track was a b-side from Atlantic; a re-recorded version of "Finding the Bomb". First Signs Of Frost currently have a new frontman Daniel Lawrence (ex Kenai & All Forgotten and are writing new material for a forthcoming EP.
Musical style and influences
FSOF has been tagged in such a variety of musical styles as post-hardcore, progressive rock, alternative metal and ambient music among other genres. The band's sound has been also compared with Sikth and Funeral For a Friend early stuff with a little more technicality and creativity, managing to produce a balanced mix between technical riffs and catchy melodies.[9]
They have stated that everyone in the band has such wide-ranging musical tastes, that it lends itself to an interesting songwriting process, and the principal reason of FSOF being tagged as a 'technical' band, is because the constant use of time changes in their songs.[3]
Band members
Current members
- Daniel Lawrence - Vocals (2015–present)
- Owen Hughes-Holland - Guitar/Vocals (2004–present)
- Adam Mason - Guitar (2004–present)
- Alex Harford - Drums (2015–present)
- Andy C Saxton - Bass (2014–present)
Former members
- Daniel Tompkins Vocals (2007-2009)
- Simon Poulton - Bass (2005–2009)
- Dan Oehlman - Bass Guitar (2004–2005)
- William Gates - Drums (2004-2015)
Discography
- "In Our Final Chapter" EP (2004)
- "The Lost Cause" EP (2007)
- Split EP with The Casino Brawl and Elias Last Day (2008)
- Atlantic (2009)
References
- ^ Nick Young. "Metal Hammer Reviews". Album Review. In Hardcore We Trust. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
- ^ Heron (8 November 2008). "Q&A Interview with First Signs of Frost". Interview. Altsounds.com. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
- ^ a b Heron (8 November 2008). "Q&A Interview with First Signs of Frost". Interview. Altsounds.com. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ Will Metcalfe. "The Casino Brawl/Elias Last Day/First Signs Of Frost - Split EP". Album Review. Subba-Cultcha. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ Ryan Clements. "The Casino Brawl/Elias Last Day/First Signs Of Frost - Split EP". Album Review. Die Shellsuit Die!. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ First Signs of Frost. "Important Announcement". Blog. First Signs of Frost. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ http://www.myspace.com/firstsignsoffrost FSOF Official Myspace Page
- ^ MusicGlue. "first signs of frost - Finding The Bomb". promo download. musicglue.com. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
- ^ Ryan Tallman. "First Signs Of Frost - Atlantic". Album Review. The NewReview. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
External links
- FSOF official Facebook page
- FSOF official Twitter
- FSOF official MySpace
- First Signs of Frost Atlantic Review The NewReview
- Altsounds.com features Interview with First Signs Of Frost
- Subba-Cultcha Album Reviews The Casino Brawl, Elias Last Day & First Signs of Frost Split EP
- The Casino Brawl/Elias Last Day/First Signs Of Frost - Split EP