Rogue Frequency (an album review: Foetal Upon the Tiles part 1 & 2)

So many indie bands today are experimental in their sound and ideas when they first debut. The same can be said for Rogue Frequency. A prog rock band that formed in 2005 in Stockport, UK. When Spat Out by Machines came out in 2007 it sounded exhilarating and different to many other upcoming bands around that time. Especially with their first song 'Women R my Kryptonite'. 

It almost seemed as if they couldn't pull anything else out of the prog rock bag, but they have...

Foetal Upon the Tiles part 1 & 2 is refreshing to hear, and there a lot of songs, on both albums, that are well worth the attention. 'Faithful Judas' kicks off the first album. I really like the slow, mellow chorus compared to the verses. It just makes you pay attention. 'Valhalla' ends the first part beautifully: " A dedication to those that have passed before us..." To me it conjures images of Norse legends (the intro 'Cold Winds of Njord" sets the scene), Valhalla being the mythical hall of the dead that have fallen in battle Another song that creates mythos imagery is 'Wholesale Redemption', a song about red wine I've been told: "Liquid burns while Bacchus sings. Dancing Venus seducing kings." Continuing on the symbolism, and onto the second album, is 'Leaves Leave', a very autumnal feel and an important reminder that changes happen for a reason, and 'May' which is the month of the pagan festival of Beltane which greets the long, awaited summer. Pagan imagery aside there is 'Bitching Without Relief', an angry song about our modern world today, and how the singer is 'tired' of all it's negativity. I also see this song as a rant about the media, and how the singer will "come out of this much stronger."

On a whole, I do like both parts equally, although I do listen to part two more than the first. Probably because I love 'Leaves Leave', don't ask me why, but it reminds me of the Type O Negative album October Rust. Probably because of the autumnal feel I mentioned earlier. Both albums incorporate strings into the works, and that is quite rare for an indie rock band.

Do check them out on the links below. Rogue Frequency is a must for any progressive, indie rock listener. 

https://www.reverbnation.com/rfuk
https://soundcloud.com/roguefrequencyuk
https://www.facebook.com/rfuk0?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/rfuk0

Please help support this band, you can buy singles or the albums from: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/rogue-frequency/id319675857

Rogue Frequency are a three piece rock band whose members are:

Smithy Malone - Vocals and bass
Muskett - Vocals and guitar
Si Slater - Drums and percussion

Their influences range from Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and The Rolling Stones.

Source: Rogue Frequency 2008