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Xerxes

Our Home Is A Deathbed

Written by: PP on 09/08/2012 09:59:51

Despite La Dispute, Touché Amoré, etc declaring 'the wave' style post-hardcore as an inside joke, their influence on not just the public perception of the tag but also on the continuous introduction of new bands in the 'genre' is undeniable. The style of emotional post-hardcore, which sources its core sound from hardcore punk and the original screamo movement of the 90s (skramz), is really, really in right now because it provides the perfect antonym to the soulless and predictable music of these days, one where emotion and passion are conveniently passed aside as long as it means better record sales and whatnot. For bands like Xerxes, who originate from Kentucky, writing hardcore songs is equivalent to unleashing unadulterated emotion and unparalleled intensity out with no restrain; that it comes with a nice dosage of nostalgic melody, or at least hints of it, in the process is the reason why we can safely add their album "Our Home Is A Deathbed" on the ever-growing list of excellent releases within this style of music.

Whether it's the astonishing emotional intensity or the passionate, aggressive delivery of emotionally charged hardcore punk, Xerxes do all the same things right as Touché Amoré did on "Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me": the melody lines behind their punk oriented songs are subtle, but meaningful enough to carry the songs, whilst the original screamo style of their vocalist ensures that desperation, despair, and raw chaos are the elements that define their style. The fast passages unpredictably morph into quieter lulls, where calm and melodic instrumentation works as a perfect contrast for the coarse, slow-paced screams, and before you know it, the band has been subtly building up for a climax of melody and chaos that meet together to form an astonishing mix between the two that underlines why 'the wave' style post-hardcore is the most important movement we've seen in music for the better part of the last decade.

This is especially true for the second half of the record, where "February" and "Our City Is A Floodplain" send a serious challenge to Touché Amoré for the throne of the original screamo / the wave style. While the rest of the record isn't always as consistent, nor as lyrically amazing as something by for example La Dispute, it is always emotionally overwhelming and full of the kind of urgency and immediacy that fuels an entire movement. You can safely expect Xerxes to be on the lips of everyone listening to this type of music by this time next year.

Download: February, Our City Is A Floodplain, Tide/This Place Is A Prison, Suburban Asphalt
For the fans of: Touché Amoré, La Dispute, Defeater, Weak Teeth, My Fictions
Listen: Bandcamp

Release date 13.03.2012
No Sleep Records