THE MARTIAL ARTS

While the college town of Athens, Georgia may bring a bring a whole host of indie rock bands like R.E.M., The B-52s, Of Montreal as well as such acts of the Indigo Girls and The Black Crows, the small city east of Atlanta is an underground hotbed for punk and metal as well. The band CINEMECHANICA is a bit out of place amongst its alternative rock cousins as it is one of the few bands that has ventured out of the city's comfort zone and delve into the more experimental progressive realms of math rock.

This band began in 2002 by Mike Albanese (drums), Bryant Williamson (guitar, vocals), Andy Pruett (guitar, vocals) and Joel Halstat (bass) and under that lineup released one album, one EP and a split before disbanding and then regrouping with a different lineup and firing off one more album in 2016. This debut album THE MARITAL ARTS V2 came out in 2006 and featured nine tracks that captured the spirit of heavy aggressive post-hardcore not too distantly far from what The Mars Volta was putting out about then only in the context of nerdy math rock with some moments of post-rock cyclical grooving.

At only a tiny bit over 31 minutes, THE MARTIAL ARTS V2 comes off as a post-punk album in every way with quick snappy tracks that burst with energy and alternate between vocal driven angsty numbers and more contemplative instrumentals. The vocals are probably my least favorite aspect of CINEMACHANICA as they feature those familiar snarly screamo styled shouts but the music on here is more akin to a much heavier Minutemen with a bit of Captain Beefheart angularity from time to time. This is rapid-fire math rock with frenetic rhythms, explosive deliveries and heavy distortion. You know, youthful angsty noise music only with the nerdy incorporation of brutal prog elements.

Overall not a bad album at all with lots of complex syncopated rhythms, unexpected hairpin turns yet solid grooves and seasoned musicians who are well versed in prog complexities. Despite all that this band still retains all those abrasive youthful qualities that make post-punk so punky! As much as i want to like this one, something just doesn't take it to the next level as there's nothing here that's totally original and as i've already stated i'm not a big fan of the vocals. For those who crave to seek out every last nugget of the progressive punk = pronk artists then this is definitely one you won't want to miss but it lacks a return value.

3.5 rounded down