Sophie's Floorboard: Cassus

Cassus are a four-piece screamo band from Norwich, UK that have been around since at least 2012. They got a little attention in 2013 between their split with the great ¡Silencio, Ahora, Silencio!, as well as appearing on Dog Knight Productions' Orchid cover album. They were certainly a solid band then, with the Orchid and Ampere influence reigning supreme. But it was at the tail end of 2015 that they released what could be considered one of the greatest screamo albums put out in the 2010's.

Their LP is incredible, and anyone who thinks the genre will never be bested again needs to hear this. The vocal style shifts between very distinct but different voices, which keeps them incredibly engaging. The instrumentals have this miraculous but paradoxical blend between chaotic and coherent that I can't even begin to understand. It's just as assaultive as it should be, and it never sounds too clean or tight, but at the same time never sloppy or messy. This band knows how to play with each other perfectly, and it really translates to make the perfect record. There's plenty of melodic bits, that range from almost ambient to fast-paced riffs before heading right back into the dissonance. I suppose there's no point in rambling on about what makes this album good. Any fan of the genre who hears this will immediately be able to tell not only why it's good, but what makes it stand out so much. I am so excited to see what's next for these guys, and I definitely advise getting on board with them. Enjoy.

Cassus/I Don't Want To Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (2012)

1. Cassus - Two Days Before The Day After Tomorrow

2. Cassus - Waltz

3. Cassus - Nothing Lasts

4. Cassus - Alpine Folk Rock

5. I Don't Want To Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Our names were written in the sand, and I knew water would wash us over, but in those moments consequence had no place and my naivety knew no bounds...

6. I Don't Want To Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - No Funeral

7. I Don't Want To Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Three

8. I Don't Want To Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Batman Related Autoerotic Asphyxiation

9. I Don't Want To Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - One

10. I Don't Want To Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Backing Away From Life