However, the genre banner is having something of a renaissance lately with the emergence of the so-called ‘Wave’ of intelligent aggressive bands in America, their UK Swell counterparts and the roster of invariably exciting bands being put out on labels such as Topshelf. Testament to this shift is the new split between post-hardcore heroes old and new, The Casket Lottery and Touché Amoré, displaying two ends of the current spectrum from melodic ethereal emo to credible rapid-fire metalcore.
Split records, in their nature, are often very subjective, featuring only one or two tracks each and appealing only to completists or as mere appetite whetters for future releases. What sets this one apart however, is that a) it’s the first recorded output by the reformed Casket Lottery in nine years and b) it’s Touché Amoré, a band at the forefront of the burgeoning ‘Wave’ and picking up where they left off on the excellent Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me.
Starting with the latter, they open the record with the blistering ‘Whale Belly’, which showcases their trademark ability to produce resonant harmony out of discordant parts; thrashed guitar and impassioned yelps combine with machine-gun drums to create two minutes of incisive emotive power. A real warning shot to pretenders and an invitation for their peers to step up.
The Casket Lottery’s original offering, ‘White Lies’, highlights their influence on the current influx of metal-tinged emo bands such as Balance and Composure. Its deep groove interlocks with synth parts and syncopated beats and is balanced by a big, driving refrain.
The covers, offered up serve as more than mere curios also, really highlighting the liberal scope of the two bands. Touché Amoré take on The Replacements’ classic anthem ‘Unsatisfied’ – a seemingly odd choice given their usual dynamism. The song revels in its lack of direction, but its cathartic rendering of aimless disaffection suits Jeremy Bolm’s tortured howl down to a tee. Their counterparts, on the other hand, choose an adaptation of a contemporary classic (and one well outside their usual sphere of influence) with their unique take on the dream-pop of ‘The Myth’ by Beach House, stripping back on the crunch to highlight their glimmering melodic nuance.
Despite it’s short running time, the quality and diversity of these four tracks garners repeat spins for fans of either band anticipating lengthier releases.
Originally published @ http://musicalmathematics.co.uk/ep-review-touche-amorethe-casket-lottery-split/
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