Foxholes, The: Flora I Fauna

Album number ten arrives from Spaniards The Foxholes in the shape of Flora I Fauna, a title that’s connected to the earth, but also one that suggests colours and growth. None more-so for the band than the full on introduction of vocals across this album, which while not quite an unheard trait from The Foxholes, is certainly something that hasn’t been a focal feature on any of the previous outings I’ve joined them on.

It’s guitarist Jonah A. Luke who seems to be providing the voice and while hardly the most accomplished singer, his honest but still remarkably tuneful approach fits these riff heavy selections well. Often working on variations on themes, you can still find the blues deep in the band’s box of tricks, but here their more metallic side pushes its way to the forefront and only allows its progressive cousin to join in the fun with its stoner sibling from time to time. The results are bold but never brash, a cleverly polished edge still guiding everything it lays its hand on, the bulging but contained “Tota La Por� grinning manically but with a melodic undercurrent. “Homenatge� forces things home, bullet like snare smacks dragging everything along by its coattails, while the title track to this whole shebang makes no apologies for its forthright machinations.

Even with all that going on it’s the opening - and kind of closing - “El Propi Misteri� that truly catches the imagination, this mixture of the epic and the brooding proving irresistible. It also does so again as its main theme is revisited but reimagined as the album-proper ends through the unsettlingly electronic “Tots Callats�. As is the tradition, Flora I Fauna then adds a bonus track in the shape of a reworking of an early cut from the band, “La Malbouffe� feeling a little out of place with its piano insertions and less forceful stance, but it’s good fun nonetheless.

There’s a lot to like here if pulsating riffs, thoughtful melodies and intricate interludes ever take your fancy, with this band’s mix of rock, metal and prog easy to get to know but never throwaway. In a time where most acts can only dream of hitting double figures in album releases, there’s a reason The Foxholes have now reached that lofty achievement and Flora I Fauna isn’t shy to show why.

Track Listing
1. El Propi Misteri
2. Fora I Fauna
3. Tota La Por
4. Homenatge
5. Rock Paladinus
6. Alfa I Omega
7. Tots Callats
Bonus Track
8. La Malbouffe

Added: November 18th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: The Foxholes @ bandcamp
Hits: 209
Language: english

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