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Biography

**Failure**

In the pantheon of 1990s alternative rock, few albums capture the decade's experimental spirit quite like Failure's 1996 masterpiece "Fantastic Planet." This sonic odyssey stands as a towering achievement in space rock, combining crushing heaviness with ethereal beauty in ways that seemed to defy the laws of physics. The album's intricate layering, unconventional song structures, and otherworldly atmosphere created a blueprint for atmospheric heavy music that continues to influence bands decades later. From the hypnotic groove of "Stuck on You" to the sprawling epic "The Nurse Who Loved Me," "Fantastic Planet" demonstrated that heavy music could be both intellectually challenging and emotionally devastating.

Failure emerged from the fertile Los Angeles alternative scene in 1990, founded by guitarist/vocalist Ken Andrews and bassist Greg Edwards. The duo had previously played together in the band Psi Com alongside future Tool bassist Paul D'Amour, but Failure represented their true creative partnership. Drummer Robert Gauss completed the classic lineup, though the band would go through several drummers throughout their career. From the beginning, Failure carved out a unique niche that blended the crushing weight of metal with the textural experimentation of shoegaze and the rhythmic complexity of progressive rock.

Their 1992 debut "Comfort" introduced their signature sound – dense, layered guitars creating walls of both melody and dissonance, anchored by Edwards' thunderous bass work and Andrews' distinctive vocals that could shift from whispered vulnerability to soaring power. The album established their fascination with space imagery and themes of isolation, alienation, and technological anxiety that would become recurring motifs throughout their catalog.

1994's "Magnified" saw the band refining their approach, incorporating more electronic elements and pushing their production techniques to new heights. Andrews, who was simultaneously building a reputation as a producer and engineer for bands like Beck and Radish, brought increasingly sophisticated studio wizardry to Failure's recordings. The album's tracks like "Undone" and "Blank" showcased their ability to create songs that were simultaneously heavy and delicate, aggressive and beautiful.

But it was "Fantastic Planet" that truly cemented Failure's legacy. The album's creation was an obsessive process, with Andrews and Edwards spending countless hours crafting intricate sonic landscapes that seemed to exist in their own gravitational field. The record's influence can be heard in countless bands that followed, from Tool to Deftones to modern post-metal acts. Despite critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase, commercial success remained elusive, and the pressures of the music industry, combined with internal tensions, led to the band's breakup in 1997.

The members pursued various projects during their hiatus – Andrews formed ON and later worked extensively as a producer, while Edwards joined the alternative rock supergroup Autolux. However, the pull of Failure proved too strong to resist permanently. In 2014, Andrews and Edwards reunited for a series of "Fantastic Planet" anniversary shows that reminded everyone why the band had been so revered. The chemistry was undeniable, leading to a full reunion and new material.

2015's "The Heart Is a Monster" marked their triumphant return after an 18-year absence. Rather than simply retreading old ground, the album found the band incorporating nearly two decades of musical evolution while maintaining their core identity. The record proved that Failure's creative well was far from dry, featuring some of their most ambitious compositions alongside their most direct rock songs.

Their influence on modern heavy music cannot be overstated. Bands across the spectrum of alternative and metal music cite Failure as a crucial influence, particularly their ability to create atmosphere and mood within heavy music frameworks. Their approach to guitar layering, rhythmic complexity, and studio production helped define what would later be called "atmospheric metal" or "post-metal."

Today, Failure continues to tour and record, with recent albums like "In the Future Your Body Will Be the Furthest Thing from Your Mind" proving their continued relevance and creative vitality. They've achieved something rare in rock music – a legacy that grows stronger with time, as new generations of listeners discover their unique blend of crushing heaviness and ethereal beauty. In an era of increasingly disposable music, Failure's catalog stands as a testament to the power of patient, obsessive craftsmanship and uncompromising artistic vision.