{"id":6459,"date":"2018-04-26T20:00:24","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T19:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.progradar.org\/?p=6459"},"modified":"2026-08-21T15:55:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T14:55:17","slug":"review-midas-fall-evaporate-by-douglas-streatfield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/2018\/04\/26\/review-midas-fall-evaporate-by-douglas-streatfield\/","title":{"rendered":"Review – Midas Fall – Evaporate – by Douglas Streatfield"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Beautiful an overused word in record reviews. But I think I\u2019m going to start off with that one word. Beautiful.<\/p>\n

Their website tells you that Midas Fall<\/strong>; Combine elements of electronica, post-rock and alternative rock with progressive and gothic undertones <\/em> and also that; Scottish duo Midas Fall<\/strong> have carved a distinctive and captivating sound, creating taut, shimmering soundscapes <\/em><\/p>\n

Post-rock can be a funny old genre to enjoy. Sometimes ponderous, overly serious and always brooding preferably with an apocalyptic ending to the song.<\/p>\n

Long, mainly instrumental pieces with the need to build and build and end in a crescendo of well, something anyway. I\u2019ve long enjoyed bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor<\/strong> and A Silver Mt Zion<\/strong>, alongside bands like God Is An Astronaut<\/strong> and Secret Machines <\/strong>but sometimes it gets a little samey.<\/p>\n

This album, though, seems more shimmering, goth beauty than post rock. As if The Sisters of Mercy<\/strong> had taken a chill pill, made an album with Liz Fraser<\/strong> and replaced most of the guitars with an aching violin. Beautifully produced, it really benefits from an eyes closed, near dark, undisturbed, loud listen to (doesn\u2019t everything).<\/p>\n

Opener Bruise Pusher<\/strong><\/em> is a nice start but leads to the title track – Evaporate<\/strong><\/em>. Imagine the vocal beauty of Christina Booth<\/strong> or Heather Findlay<\/strong>, with a Cocteau Twins<\/strong> shimmer set against a gentle, insistent violin, piano and drum backdrop that ebbs and flows. I kept listening to this track… so beautiful (there’s that word again).<\/p>\n

A number of the tracks start in a similar vein but then build and build as layers of guitar and distortion get added to create a gorgeous sonic wall of sound until the end comes, a kind of emotional release from the journey.<\/p>\n

In<\/strong><\/em> Sunny Landscapes<\/strong><\/em> Chuckle Trousers himself couldn\u2019t make a track sound less like its title. Again the vocals entrance; I watched you fall, watched you wither, watched you wander, <\/em>Elizabeth Heaton<\/strong> sings as the violin gently breaks your heart again.<\/p>\n

It all ends with Howling at the Clouds<\/strong><\/em> now If Alcest<\/strong> quietened down a bit and made a record with Kate Bush<\/strong> <\/p>\n

What can I say? I wasn\u2019t particularly aware of Midas Falls<\/strong> before this review – now I have much of what they have released and I particularly love this record. If beautiful, Gothic, shimmering and haunting loveliness is your thing, you must buy it. Like I said, quite beautiful.<\/p>\n

Released 27th April 2018<\/p>\n

Order ‘Evaporate’ from Monotreme Records here<\/a><\/p>\n