Locktender – Kafka

July 25, 2013 • Replenish Records

I have never really been much into screamo much, but lately (as my appreciation for other emo has increased, probably) I've found a few good releases that I've really enjoyed. It's taken a few listens for Locktender to really click, as does a lot of music like this, but this is one album that's definitely worth the time to get into.

Don't let my use of the word "screamo" put you off, though; this is a bit distant from the likes of pg.99 or Orchid. Kafka has quite a diverse output of styles on display; they're mostly derived from screamo in some way, but Often the music contains a very heavy, sludge-metal-like edge, while later veering wildly into a light post-rock aesthetic. The result is music that's often very dense and chaotic and a bit difficult to wrap one's head around, but, surprisingly, in a good way. Though there's a lot going on (especially on the two longer, proggier tracks), it is one of those albums that one can hear something new in it each time.

It helps that on the whole, Locktender has a really good sense of melody that they apply all over the place for a very affecting performance. The vocals are especially good in this regard—I love the contrast between the harsh and guttural screams on most of the album, and the melodicism and passion of the singing that accents it. The guitar and bass parts are, of course, doing their part as well, just in a way that's a bit harder to put into words.

And it's probably true that a big part of the reason I like Kafka so much is that I haven't heard anything quite like this album before—not that that's saying a lot, but still—and it's still pushing all the right buttons as far as what kind of stuff I've been really getting into lately. So consider this an enthusiastic recommendation if you're at all in tune with the kind of stuff I've been into lately.