The Fall of Troy

While mosh-inclined fans and occasional employment of screamo vocals often pigeonhole Seattle trio The Fall of Troy into the hardcore genre, the skill level of the barely legal members' playing suggests that there is more to this group than circle pits and screeches. Guitarist Thomas Erak loops his uncontrollably speedy guitar work, creating frantic, layered songs that sometimes segue into extended jam sessions akin to The Mars Volta -- a group to whom The Fall of Troy owes some obvious debt. The violently excitable 17-year-old fans and aggressive nature of some tracks may be initially intimidating to listeners outside the hardcore crowd, but further exploration of the music reveals a group with immense potential -- that may or may not make you want to get into that circle pit yourself.