Labels: self released
Review by: Samuel Rogers
This is the third EP from a German post-hardcore group, following 2014’s Agadorable and 2015’s
Agadawesome (yes, they have a naming scheme). Going back to the previous EP, “solid but not
memorable” is a rough paraphrase of Collective Zine’s review. To my ears, they’ve come some
distance in the intervening years. They have quite a slick and polished post-hardcore sound, which
might benefit from a bit more discordant rough edge. On first listening to these six tracks (plus
intro), I noticed small reminiscences of other bands, and wondered if the record wore its influences
too much on its sleeve. After a few listens, all I could remember were the Agador Spartacus
elements themselves, which is the hallmark of a catchy band.
The style is crisply controlled. Forceful but also melodic. As well as catchy, riff-based
structures, we get track-endings that let loose some instrumental rock-outs. The vocals are decent,
with hoarse singing/yelling complemented by softer harmonising. I was also impressed by the song-
writing on this record. My favourite track is “Tetris”, where the chorus concludes “I blend in till I
burn out (This is my biggest fear). It’s like a game of Tetris (Once you fit in you disappear)”. Of
course, great lyricism isn’t all about vintage video game references. (But mostly it is). If you’re a total
post-hardcore purist, you’ll suffer from the lack of noisy disharmony. The rest of us will be having a
ball and looking forward to an LP.