Les Friction is a cinematic, orchestral rock band that formed in 2011, which has released three Concept Albums following a high science fiction story: "Les Friction" (2012), "Dark Matter" (2017), and "End of the Beginning" (2022).
The year is 2048 AD. Humans are now able to leave their earthly home and travel to other dimensions. While traveling, a shell of their body remains on earth and functions at a reduced capacity. For most people, life is more interesting and entertaining in these alternate dimensions; however, having neglected their loved ones at home, society on earth begins to deteriorate. Anarchy ensues and the travelers begin to receive millions of S.O.S.'s from their families on earth. Now, they must fight and struggle their way back home to save earth from certain destruction. Our story begins...
This band provides examples of:
- 20 Minutes into the Future: The first album begins in 2048, Dark Matter is set in 2051, and End of the Beginning is set some years after that.
- Dimensional Traveler: Most of the human race has left their bodies behind on Earth to travel alternate dimensions and worlds mentally.
- Eldritch Abomination: Dark Matter itself is implied to be a sentient, destructive entity that is rebelling against its human masters with some combination of reality corrosion and mind control.
- The End of the World as We Know It:
- In the first album, with most of humanity off exploring alternate dimensions Earth has fallen into anarchy and is on the verge of collapse.
- In the Dark Matter album, the eponymous force is consuming the universe after humanity used its power to access other dimensions. Your World Will Fail, World on Fire, and the title track all describe the world as it falls apart.
- Genre Mashup: Les Friction is Alternative Rock, electronic rock, industrial rock, modern classical, orchestral, Rock Opera, symphonic rock...
- Lotus-Eater Machine: Most of humanity is happier exploring alternate dimensions while Earth falls apart.
- Sentient Phlebotinum: Humanity is possibly using dark matter to power their dimensional travel; but it turns out that Dark Matter is aware and malevolent.Dark Matter: Puppets learn to pull strings and tear down the user's lead
- Turned Against Their Masters: Dark Matter, against humanity.
- Villain Song:
- "Who Will Save You Now?" is ominous. It's hard to tell if the singer is a villain or a hero.
- "Dark Matter" is from the perspective of the eponymous force, describing its rebellion against humanity and how it promises to be the undoing of the universe.
- "Your World Will Fail" is Dark Matter's Hannibal Lecture, describing how humanity's universe is "beyond repair" and will soon be subsumed, while also alluding to humanity deserving it for toying with forces beyond their power.
