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While I was listening to this (fantastic, if you ask me) cd, my room was lit by nothing but a candle, and I think that's the right atmosphere if you really wanna enjoy this record by Encore Fou.
Dark, heavy and thinking, comparing them with His Hero Is Gone wouldn't do them justice; the slow parts remind me of Concrete or something by With Love. My favourite song is "L'una o l'altra", where the guitars kicking in remind me of Botch or, why not, Dragbody.
E.F is an example of how a record should have good recording and sound quality as well as good musicianship. In fact, it stands out for the awesome production, and the sounds are extremely clear.
The lyrics are mind-blowing too: "...you have lost, we all have lost". I always knew it!
Durante l’ascolto di questo cd (a mio avviso fantastico!), la mia stanza era illuminata da una sola candela, e penso sia necessario entrare in un atmosfera tale per assaporare al meglio questo disco degli Encore Fou.
Oscuri e pe(n)santi, paragonarli agli His Hero is Gone sarebbe riduttivo; penso che nelle parti lente ricordino i Concrete e qualcosa dei With Love. La mia preferita è "L’una o l’altra", dove l’attacco maestoso delle chitarre mi riportano ai Botch, e perché no, anche ai Dragbody.
Gli E.F. sono un esempio di come un prodotto oltre ad essere ben suonato deve essere anche ben registrato; di fatti risalta per l’ottima produzione, i suoni sono estremamente puliti.
Sconvolgenti anche nei testi: "…hai perso, abbiamo tutti perso.” L’ho sempre saputo!
(Fray Webzine #3)

Extra-black Encore Fou is totally close to DIY philosophy, but their music isn't really hardcore. The harsh and malevolent violence emanating from their creaking guitars makes me think of a creative and noir black band like Today Is The Day. Or to put it straight: overflowing psychosis. Paroxysm of violence. Not to be confused with a generic black metal record, "Il numero undici" is a collection of brutally tortured songs, sung in italian, leaning towards what I once described as evil raga referring to Today Is The Day. Awesome.
(Rumore #109)

The voice screams histerically in search of a reason, guitars trace the lines of torment, the rhythm is often taken by uncontrollable fury. Not a resting moment, just a short dub interlude in the closing song. The chance of finding a way out is remote, but still we cling to our last hope.
(Blow Up #33)

Buy this cd if already haven't, and if you want to know how it sounds like by the usual comparisons, I'll tell you it reminded me of: canadian school of chaoscore, like Uranus, and german school of the Per Koro branch, with totally overlooked bands like Dead Beat, Forced To Decay, Notorius Love Affair.
(Hopes Of Harmony #4/Poca Scena #5 split zine)

I've seen Still Crazy live last night in Milano and I was amazed by the power and energy these five guys can release during their performance. This piece of plastic confirms that impression. The style is emocore mixed with With Love's new school of heavy guitars, with very good screamed italian lyrics. Good, give it a listen.
Ho visto ancora pazzo l'altra sera a Milano ed "ho rimasto meraviglioso", come direbbe Gigio, dalla potenza sprigionata dai 5 nella loro performance, riconfermata su questo pezzo di plastica edito da Shove di Alessandria poco tempo fa. Il genere proposto è un emocore misto alla new school dai chitarroni pesanti dei With Love, cantato, anzi rigorosamente urlato, in italiano (ottimi testi). Bello, dategli un'ascolto.
(Smartz Records newsletter)