Cementing The Seams

In the wake of the separation of Nashville, TN hardcore outfit Cease Upon The Capitol, two distinct side-projects remained. The more punk-oriented Sanctions, who had been a side project of former members of CUTC for some time, and the sonically closer screamo group Dolcim. Last year Dolcim released an excellent 4 song (new recordings of all of which can be found on their new LP) demo that flew the Capitol banner in a similar but equally distinguishable way. The slower, more contemplative sound of CUTC’s 2007 LP was set aside for a bit more frenetic, and much more exciting sound. On “Guillotine Ride” Dolcim harness the controlled chaos of emotional hardcore and create a unique atmosphere in a genre that can very easily seem repetitive. I can’t quite put my finger on what makes a certain screamo act stand above the rest, but there seems to be a handful of bands that know exactly how to play this type of music and keep it sounding new and unexpectedly beautiful. Oh, and just so we’re clear, you won’t find speedy thrash solos or dual vocalists or over-tuned drums on this record. So, misnomers aside “Guillotine Ride” is one of those records that just stands out. Period.

For Fans of: Cease Upon The Capitol, Ampere, Loma Prieta, Raein

Dolcim on Myspace