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Listening Notes: Special Emo & Core Vol. 2

Back to the -core zone with a range between emo, post-hardcore, and crust punk. Here's the list:

11;45 - The Lowest Of Places (2019)

75%
11;45 is an emo/post-hardcore band from Colorado with undeniable emotional touches. The math rock or midwest emo vibe is more apparent after the opening song, "Learned Behavior", and the violin scratches in "72 Hours Hold" add value. "A Letter From My Soul To Yours" and "Chains (XX)" are the two heaviest parts. Although it's a shame, "I Don't Hate You ; I'm Still Searching (Inst. by Beowülf)" closes the session with a hip-hop style that remains emotional through spoken words, making it seem like there's nothing to take away. 

Highlights: Learned Behavior, 72 Hours Hold, An Essence Revealed (Epilogue), I Don't Hate You ; I'm Still Searching

For Her... - Searching... (2022)

70%
Searching... from For Her... is dominated by instrumentals, and the initial impression is post-rock, although the main shows in "Her..." and "Searching..." include screamo/blackgaze. "Her..." seems intentionally discordant: sad vocals but weird, guitar lacking intent, and drums that are late and seem to be working alone. A representation of female complexity? Who knows. The interlude "sentimientos" and outro "</3" feature ambient organ, creating a different atmosphere. 

My pick? Yeah, the ones leaning towards post-rock and the piano interlude. 

Highlights: <3, Waiting Here for You

Ironstone - The Place I Cannot Find (2022)

70%
Maybe this is what they call djentcore, a mix of djent and post-hardcore. So, Ironstone's offering sounds modern. The mix of clean vocals and screams/growls might evoke Architects, Polaris, and Periphery. There's also electronic added to "Who Scares Who" for extra flavor, but "Shiny Things" seems to be made at a different time, making the production output seem contrasting. I'm actually only interested in the artwork, which is a great part of this genre. 

Highlight: Who Scares Who

A Monster Under My Bed - Phobia (2020)

70%
A Barcelona metalcore/deathcore unit, A Monster Under My Bed is influenced by djent guitar riffs, making it relevant to Path of Giants, although the genre's characteristic atmosphere is less prominent, ultimately leaving no real mark on the ears in five tracks. Yeah, if it's just for young people who like headbanging to breakdowns, it's definitely suitable. 

Highlights: Murk, Scorn

A Solid Foundation - On Which To Build a Home (2016)

70%
Back to emo. This time, it's A Solid Foundation from Florida. Unlike 11;45, this band plays emo as it should: emotional vocals and somewhat slow music. The difference is, instead of being full of math rock riffs, there's a surf rock vibe in "Anchors", while the intro to "Groundwork" reminds me of one of the original soundtrack anime Just Because!. 

The ones worth considering are in the highlights, maybe only "Dead Sunflowers" has a high chance. 

Highlights: A Mountain To Replace An Empire, Dead Sunflowers

Thørn - Inferno (2023)

75%
Thørn's journey in blackened crust punk opens and closes with sludgy tracks that are quite slow. After the build-up, "Gallows" and "Drowning" explode in a polluted speed and stretch in the middle, while "Monolith" moves more dynamically. The rest is influenced by sludge, like "Flegias" and "Seventh". 

I'm still wondering why there's always a different feeling when just listening and when reviewing. So, after being somewhat neglectful, there's more appreciation for this album. I'm just not satisfied with the punk/hardcore drum beats, so I think that's why I give it a lowlight, not a highlight. Personal best track is "Traitors". 

Lowlight: Inferno, Tongues
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