Locktender

Label submission. Locktender are a four-piece hardcore/screamo/post-rock band from Cleveland, Ohio that was birthed from the remnants of another band called Men As Trees. Locktender recently released their debut full-length titled Kafka, after writer Franz Kafka, whose work inspired the lyrical content of this album (more information about this on their Bandcamp).

The band bangs out five beasts of songs which stylistically roam in a blend of hardcore and screamo, with many aspects of post-rock integrated in as well. The atmospheric, melodic, reverb-laden guitar parts particularly demonstrate that aspect, as well as the lengthy, dynamic song structures that feature many crescendos and climaxes. The vocals are very guttural for the most part, though often break into a clean, desperate, singing-style during more melodic interludes, which serves as a parallel to the emotional face punch of the aggressive moments. The first four songs on here are epic, in the truest sense of the word. Each song spans a large range of musical ideas which seaminglessly flow into each other, and give the listener a sense of adventure as they explore each eloquently-written asphorism-inspired song and the sound of giants backing them. This particular notion somewhat reminded me of bands such as Envy or Deafheaven, if those could be used as possible comparisons.  The album ends with the fifth and final track "Aphorism 103", which features a hauntingly vulnerable acoustic guitar-driven song, and one final crescendo to bring Kafka to a close.

This album absolutely blew me away from start to finish, I highly, highly recommend checking it out. They have their entire discography up for free download, which earns them some major respect, and more reason to try and support them. You can find it here.

Kafka (2013)

1. Aphorism #17

2. Aphorism #16

3. Aphorism #87

4. Aphorism #63

5. Aphorism #103

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