Pitch Perfect
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

damascus - heights

10/1/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
Damascus

Heights
self-released; 2013

4.0 out of 5

By Dan Alcantara


When I saw what kind of music Damascus played, I was expecting another Explosions In The Sky or Sigur Ros ripoff. Every time I hear a new band playing instrumental post-rock, I expect the worse. Not because I don't like post-rock, but because it is A) hard to get right and B) crazily overdone. But the music of Damascus has something that separates it from the post-rock that we keep hearing. That something is, simply put, balls.

By mixing heavier guitars into their sound and playing with some progressive arrangements and compositions, the band has completely avoided the need to pile on the reverb and work a slow build on their album Heights. They're also able to include a lot more melody in their songs. This is especially true on the opening track, "Come To Light,” a song that has such a wide dynamic range that my ears failed to become bored at any moment. And I'm not a fan of instrumental music!

The album was recorded in three days in December and that fast pace has done their music a great service. When you record quickly, you ask fewer questions and just work on the music. It also shows how well rehearsed your band is before entering the studio. The guys that make up this band very obviously knew what they wanted to do before heading in to record. "Heights,” the title track, showcases that by bringing in more of the band's metal influences and spending quite a bit of time sounding truly epic. It feels like a battle scene from a movie.

The metal continues on "All Points Below,” though the tempo is increased and less melodic. "Just Another Illustration" is the oddball in the group, but it's a welcome break from the energy of the other tracks. Where the other songs are loud and driving, this one is quiet and ambient, like listening to a guitarist in a warehouse. The final track, "Want For Nothing,” brings the focus back to a wide dynamic range between loud and quiet, fast and slow. And it holds your attention for the nine-and-a-half-minutes that you're listening to it.

Heights gives me hope for the post-rock genre and instrumental music in general. It doesn't have to be boring and it doesn't have to be drenched in reverb. It can be simply good, heavy music with creative arrangements.
Become A Fan
official website
1 Comment
DAn Trilla
10/1/2013 12:15:37 am

good stuff!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by pitchperfect158
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
© Pitch Perfect 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact