When this latest album from San Francisco’s APEX4X landed in the review pile with a satisfying thud, it did so with the warning that it was unashamedly political and with the understanding that some reviewers might not want to get involved with something this incendiary and controversial. My immediate thought was quite the opposite: given the storm clouds gathering on the (not-too-distant) horizon, why is this not a daily event? Why isn’t more of my review pile full of music with something to say about the state of the world?
Music has always been the perfect medium for protest, from rebellious rock and rollers to disenfranchised hip-hopers to bored punks. Three chords and the truth, as the saying goes, have always spoken volumes. So why, given the political change and winds of war blowing across the planet, the self-inflicted catastrophes, and the displaced millions, is not everyone from the busker with the battered guitar to the bedroom composer with the laptop studio package not addressing such issues?
Thankfully, APEX4X is doing its bit to help, and with Nightfall, we have an album that holds a mirror up to the modern world and extrapolates any number of possible outcomes, dystopian aftermaths, and apocalyptic conclusions. Although they are careful to refer to any specific actions or actors, actual powers-that-be, or political paths, it is clear that here we have an album that is writing any number of possible endings to the horror story we are living through political, social, environmental, existential.
Blending darkwave-infused alt-rock, anthemic metal, and atmospheric interludes, APEX4X creates the perfect sonic backdrops for these dark tales of wonder and woe.
We hear much about the act of speaking truth to power. Well, Nightfall is the sound of like-minded folk singing truth to power, of a band using their platform and profile to join the political conversation. Once again, this is proof that music can be both entertaining and informative, and enlightening… empowering….important…poignant….powerful…and so much more.
