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Review Summary: Emo titans reclaim the crown. City of Caterpillar has become synonymous with the terms “skramz” and “old-school emo”. Their titan of a self titled record is considered a masterpiece, blending together elements of emo and post-rock to create a sound that is both unhinged and chaotic, yet perfectly structured and cathartic. After dropping such a monolithic record and staying silent for 15 long years, the band has finally broke the silence. With that in mind, how can one stop drawing comparisons to their debut? It is almost definitely unfair to hold the band to the same standards as 15 years ago-the same youth-fueled rage is almost certainly toned down, and of course new influences have seeped into City of Caterpillar’s sound. So can this really hold a candle to their magnum opus (only record, but I digress), especially bearing in mind that this is only a two song ep? Well... *** yes they can.
Driving Spain Up A Wall is a much calmer affair than what CoC is noted for. The throat-shredding wails have become fiery modern-punk inspired shouts, and the mathcore like guitar leads have become much more slow and focused. The first 6 minutes of the title track are spent with a brooding guitar lead that segways into a distorted guitar riff, conjuring up images of the ghosts of dead friends and family rising from their coffins to leer at you. Then, as the pace increases and becomes more frantic, you can see the anguished souls come at you in a frenzy, ravaging your mind into ribbons. Off of the second track, “As the Curtains Dim”, CoC slows down even more, beginning with a somber piano lead alongside a lonesome guitar picking. Cavernous drums then kick in, building ever more until the music can build no more, and the impending chaos gives way to a thick, muddy bass, releasing a wave of catharsis. That is what the band has proven they can do even after an immense 15 year gap-create a piece of art that is simultaneously slower and more toned down yet equally cathartic. They have proven that they are one of the great emo titans for a reason, and that time cannot make them crumble.
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Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
This definitely needs some work i'm sure so i'd really appreciate criticism. Found this band oddly difficult to review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
both songs are ace
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
witnessing Driving Spain Up A Wall live is one of the greatest things I've ever experienced, the recording here rules but live it's an entirely different beast
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
I'd like a bit more about the music, but it is a two track EP after all so I don't think there's too much to expand on
good writeup
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still need to check this, stellar review btw, how are you not contrib??
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Yeah, was having a hard time with this sandwich lol. Also Ian bro I ain't nearly as good as I should be.
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Had no idea this was coming out. I need to listen to this even though I don't expect that much.
The review is really good considering how hard it is to write something significant about a 16-minute EP.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
I have just learned this isn't new material, but rather recordings of two tracks from sessions in 2002-2003 they felt were never properly recorded and were deserving of a rerecording. https://thearchivistlabel.bandcamp.com/album/driving-spain-up-a-wall-ep
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
This doesn't dismiss the possibility of new music in the future considering they had a reunion tour in October of 2016 as well, but it is unlikely we will see much.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
As The Curtains Dim (Little White Lie) was recorded when they recorded the self-titled and Driving Spain they played live but never recorded it until like late last year I believe
even though it's not new music, still stoked to have these out
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Review still works either way, it's not like you said it was all new material or anything. (:
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Well of course lol, just figured I would state that before peoples hopes went up.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Always looking out, what a guy
| | | Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
Thanks bruv m/
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can't wait for my copy of this to come in the mail
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Good stuff, Dede. You could be a bit more concise -- "guitar leads are now slower and more focused" -- but this is well-written.
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Pretty sure this is on the demo record recordings album in raw form but I could be wrong
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
cool
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Yea kinda I guess
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Super review man, short skrams is my jamz, will check
"unhinged and chaotic yet perfectly structured" - I'd put a comma after "chaotic"
"standards as 15 years ago-the same youth-fueled rage" I think the hyphen after "ago" should be a dash, right?
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