Book of Caverns - S/T

Book of Caverns - S/T
Bart Records




It's been years since I've heard music of this composure that I can respectively call emo. From what I've only recently been clueing in to, Edmonton has been developing quite the revival of emotionally exploratory hardcore and punk known to some as either emo, screamo, or its upgraded term 'skramz', and Book of Caverns is a refreshing definition of what this type of music is all about. From the soft and sombre intros to the crescendos of agony and despair, each song is an ardently moving sway of sympathies that I suspect is amplified tremendously during a live show.

As a long time fan of this genre, I admit my biased enthusiasm, but if you're interested in any comparisons I would guess at influences from bands like Sleepytime Trio, Appleseed Cast, Ativin and possibly early Poison the Well.

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Mahria - S/T

Mahria - S/T
Bart Records




I got the chance to see Mahria play this past summer and was instantly taken with their sound. Excellent guitar work, a vocalist who clearly knows the deal, and a top-shelf rhythm section. I do find it easy to hate bands, though, who heave and jump around so drastically in a sonic nature. Much to my delight, these folks pulled it off with class, and a sound in the vein of real-screamo/emo, melodic hardcore bands of yore. Mahria somehow takes the tools of the past, reinvents and then reconstructs them in a fresh and exciting way.

At times this album has an almost soothing feel. The opening track "Lights" drags you down to a comfortable place full of delayed warbling guitar sounds before instantly punching your audible sensors with Corby Burnett's shrieking slew of intensity. This album will take you to many places; I give this album a rating of "You're stupid to not listen"

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