AT THE DRIVE IN – Diamanté EP
aaamusic | On 19, Feb 2018
Post-hardcore trail blazers At the Drive In’s fifth EP, Diamanté is packed with experimental edge and punk rock nuances typical of the El Paso five piece. Opener ‘Amid Ethics’ is uncompromising in its abrasive use of percussive vocals and unrelenting bass, while closer ‘Point of Demarcation’ – a down tempo, glitchy power ballad – soothes the soul while taking the level of intensity from the previous two tracks down a whole different path.
From the get go the EP has this sense of urgency, a dire need for release, especially evident in the lo-fi sounding on onslaught of energy that is ‘Amid Ethics’ delivered through chanting vocals and screeching guitars that never seem content and perfectly compliment the adrenaline fuelling drumming of Tony Hajjar. A thumping rhythm section beneath whaling guitars leads into ‘Despondent at High Noon’ a slightly less urgent, more sludgy offering from ADTI that gives way to a brighter guitar sound without distracting from the angst fuelled message of the band.
Despite quite a lengthy hiatus allowing for a variety of side projects including Sparta and Mars Volta it seems that ADTI are back in full swing and seemingly unstoppable. In addition to 2017s album In-ter a-li-a and the highly enjoyable EP Diamanté, the band are set to embark on a headline tour this March. Overall the 3 track EP pays homage to previous releases by ATDI, but seems like a natural progression, one that fans of the band are sure to enjoy.
