Review Summary: When Dying Is An Artform is the a self-released EP from Nottingham, UK post-hardcore/screamo outfit beneaththecrimsonskyline. This is the first release for the band since completing their current lineup.
This release is a far cry from the demo recordings that the band first released at the start of the year. The drums are more inventive, the songs are less rigidly structured and the vocals have improved dramatically. Aside from this I'd say the the band has still retained its signature sound, which is a good thing.
One of the things that for me makes this band stand out from the screamo crowd is the band's reluctance to fall into the same old riff/breakdown/riff/breakdown culture that many of the groups in today's scene are doing. Also rather noticeable is the fact that the band are from the United Kingdom and I have not heard much of this sort of music coming from across the Atlantic!
The standout track on this EP for me would have to be There's A Name For Girls Like You. The track opens with a very short and modest intro before exploding into a verse which rather impressively alternates between harsh screamed vocals and strong clean sung parts.
Another song which I enjoy immensely is Against City Lights, which the band released an unmastered version of on their Purevolueme account prior to the songs release. This track differs from all previous beneaththecrimsonskyline material in that it has a significantly different and refreshing feel about it. The track features tempo changes and an almost heavy-metal guitar build up before closing in a euphoric frenzy of a beautiful arpeggiated guitar riff!
This Won't Last Forever is probably the most mainstream song on this EP. It has an almost an early Escape The Fate feel to it. The track opens with a killer guitar riff and pounding drum beat before heading into the clean-sung verse. The interesting thing about TWLF is that this track features almost entirely clean sung vocals, with the exception of an A Day To Remember-esque screaming before the breakdown. Other tracks on the EP include Elysia Affinity.
The lyrics on this release do not tend to stray away from the genre's norm, however it has to be noted that there is an obvious flair for lyrics straying from the hand of the lead vocalist.
"I'm not known for taking my chances but I'm taking a chance on you
I should have known that you'd betray me, there's a name for girls like you"
Overall I'd say that this is a strong first release, however only time will tell if this band have the staying power required to last in today's overcrowded fashioncore-dominated maketplace!
