Yeah, I guess this is pretty good. Three new cuts of Kotto (although all three will later be appearing on another release), the vinyl was supposed to be ready in time for their European tour but delays saw it unavailable at the shows I attended. So instead I had to acquire it retroactively. Glad I did.
I definitely recognise the first two tracks on here, which is odd as it is the third one which blows me away the most. “Alive and Dead” and “Tracing” have a little more of a straightforward feel, relying on a headrush of the dual guitar, scream-sing approach that Yaphet have relied on so adeptly over their course so far. It does feel more basic and more hardcore on these two tracks – almost sloppier, getting back to the sheer smash and grab energy of the first 7″. A minor change of sound is a good thing for a hardcore band. You can’t make the same songs over and over. “Alive and Dead” has a really stylish intro that builds up in familiar Yaphet vein, melodic guitars that wash over each other before everything hits the wall and explodes. New member Austin adds some extra harsh screamed vocals to the mix and they contrast brilliantly with Mag’s plaintive singing style on the second song. It’s a belter. Yet as I mentioned before, the final song “Momentary Loss of Breath” captures best the passion and emotions that I find this band exudes more than any other band in the genre. The guitar sound is spot on, defiantly melodic yet lost in a sea of pained screaming, blistering drumming and spilled blood. The groove they capture sends me into wild hand claps and closed eyes as they destroy. It is emo perfection.
Truly incredible, Yaphet Kotto.