bolgy99
08/25/09, 05:55 AM
Dream the Chase, The - Found Again
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: October 2009
Post-hardcore is such a broad term these days, bands have become reluctant to describe themselves with it. There’s a fine line that separates progressive rock and a certain strand of post-hardcore, which focuses on a finer, more melodic sound, creating an atmosphere you won’t hear when you throw on an Aiden or Escape the Fate album. The Dream the Chase stand well and truly in the progressive rock corner, without denying the aggression and intensity of post-hardcore.
Found Again is the debut effort from The Dream the Chase, and they waste no time before stating their opinion on harsh vocals with opener "Chosen." After the initial onslaught of Brent Emslie’s growls along with a wall of sound, the clear lead vocals of Zach Britt break in and soften the crashing cymbals and thrashing guitar into melodic, guitar-driven rock. After thirty seconds, you know exactly what’s coming for the next twenty-six minutes. This isn’t a bad thing; Found Again is everything an EP should be: energetic and confident. With a little individuality, The Dream the Chase promise bigger and better things to come.
One of the first things that struck me was the balance of clean and growled vocals. Emslie’s voice sounds quite unique compared to most I’ve heard, and most if not all of his growls are decipherable, rather than just a mess of grunts and other odd noises. However, his vocals are used sparingly and to good taste throughout the EP, with more emphasis on the clean vocals of Britt, who draws similarities to Lower Definition vocalist Matt Geise. Britt’s vocals are steady throughout, controlling the intensity, building into the more furious drum work and then drawing it to a halt, a commanding element of the EP.
There is a constant wandering guitar amongst the mix, which wasn’t apparent until many listens in, only because there are so many things going on at once. When "Who Is Alone?" comes crashing in, it could almost be a simple hard rock song if it weren’t for the relentless guitar work, which supplies a much more stimulating sound for the listener. Similar to Emslie’s growled vocals, The Dream the Chase know when to throw in their more extravagant riffs and when to keep it simple. In "Faithless," the simple chugging guitar is used to great effect to build tension, and the thrashing during the faster sections of "Distance" releases it. Balance is the key to Found Again, and The Dream the Chase manage it with ease.
There’s always so much going on in this EP, but due to some good production, none of it is lost. Having three guitarists still gives a definite ambience to the tracks, but the vocals come through clearly over the instruments. What excited me most was the crisp, powerful mix of Daniel Puusaari’s drums. As if the heartbeat of the song, Puusaari’s intensity through the breakdowns and double kicks, countered by the controlled, catchy beat through the softer passages, reflects the emotion of every moment. Found Again displays a promising young band with more than a little talent, and a passion and energy that can take them a long way. The Dream the Chase are one to look out for in the future.
progressive post-hardcore; Closure In Moscow, Lower Definition, and everything in-between
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/thedreamthechase)
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: October 2009
Post-hardcore is such a broad term these days, bands have become reluctant to describe themselves with it. There’s a fine line that separates progressive rock and a certain strand of post-hardcore, which focuses on a finer, more melodic sound, creating an atmosphere you won’t hear when you throw on an Aiden or Escape the Fate album. The Dream the Chase stand well and truly in the progressive rock corner, without denying the aggression and intensity of post-hardcore.
Found Again is the debut effort from The Dream the Chase, and they waste no time before stating their opinion on harsh vocals with opener "Chosen." After the initial onslaught of Brent Emslie’s growls along with a wall of sound, the clear lead vocals of Zach Britt break in and soften the crashing cymbals and thrashing guitar into melodic, guitar-driven rock. After thirty seconds, you know exactly what’s coming for the next twenty-six minutes. This isn’t a bad thing; Found Again is everything an EP should be: energetic and confident. With a little individuality, The Dream the Chase promise bigger and better things to come.
One of the first things that struck me was the balance of clean and growled vocals. Emslie’s voice sounds quite unique compared to most I’ve heard, and most if not all of his growls are decipherable, rather than just a mess of grunts and other odd noises. However, his vocals are used sparingly and to good taste throughout the EP, with more emphasis on the clean vocals of Britt, who draws similarities to Lower Definition vocalist Matt Geise. Britt’s vocals are steady throughout, controlling the intensity, building into the more furious drum work and then drawing it to a halt, a commanding element of the EP.
There is a constant wandering guitar amongst the mix, which wasn’t apparent until many listens in, only because there are so many things going on at once. When "Who Is Alone?" comes crashing in, it could almost be a simple hard rock song if it weren’t for the relentless guitar work, which supplies a much more stimulating sound for the listener. Similar to Emslie’s growled vocals, The Dream the Chase know when to throw in their more extravagant riffs and when to keep it simple. In "Faithless," the simple chugging guitar is used to great effect to build tension, and the thrashing during the faster sections of "Distance" releases it. Balance is the key to Found Again, and The Dream the Chase manage it with ease.
There’s always so much going on in this EP, but due to some good production, none of it is lost. Having three guitarists still gives a definite ambience to the tracks, but the vocals come through clearly over the instruments. What excited me most was the crisp, powerful mix of Daniel Puusaari’s drums. As if the heartbeat of the song, Puusaari’s intensity through the breakdowns and double kicks, countered by the controlled, catchy beat through the softer passages, reflects the emotion of every moment. Found Again displays a promising young band with more than a little talent, and a passion and energy that can take them a long way. The Dream the Chase are one to look out for in the future.
progressive post-hardcore; Closure In Moscow, Lower Definition, and everything in-between
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/thedreamthechase)