Collapse Under The Empire: Fragments of a Prayer (Denovali / Final Tune Records)
CD/LP/DL
Out: 28th Sep

German instrumentalists Collapse Under The Empire return with what could possibly be their most beautiful and intriguing album yet.

Collapse Under The Empire were formed in Hamburg, Germany in 2008 and are comprised of Chris Burda and Martin Grimm. Their dense and cinematic sound was enough to instil consistent and ever rising interest amongst the critics and the band have found themselves receiving a great deal of positive attention to date.

Their sound resembles acts such as God is an Astronaut, Mogwai and The Album Leaf, which should give you some indication of what to expect from them. Their instrumental, post rock is beautifully constructed and is enhanced greatly by superb production. This is essential in this form of music as it is all too easy for a band to play a few slow riffs through a series of pedals, add some light drumming and follow the slow / heavy / slow formula.

Thankfully, Collapse Under The Empire have the ability to add something new and worthy to a genre which, in all honesty, is somewhat saturated at the moment. There is a strength and honesty to this album which resonates powerfully with the listener and will, most certainly, have you playing it repeatedly for some time to come. Stirring and powerful, yet delicate and beautiful.

”˜Fragments of a Prayer’ is their first release on their own label (assisted in part by Denovali). There is a sense of rich multi instrumentalism and expansive musical structures present throughout the ten tracks and will certainly inspire you to seek out their back catalogue. This release comes in the middle of a two part concept album ”˜Shoulders & Giants’, which is available now. The second instalment ”˜Sacrifice & Isolation’ will be released next year.

You can find out more about the band on their website HERE or on their Facebook page HERE

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All words by Colin McCracken. You can read more of his Louder Than War articles HERE
He writes about movies HERE and lurks about on Twitter HERE