“remember when we used to be vibrant?
breathing air for the very first time?
now the windows are barred
no frame could contain nature
obsessed with all the wrong things
time to sharpen our focus”
(from “Aphorism #16″)
Locktender – Stunned. Completely. “Kafka” is definitely an aspirant for the album of the year.
Locktender (Ex-Men of Trees) was formed back in 2011 and after several splits with bands such as Brighter Arrows, Cassilis or Coma Regalia they’ve now released their intense full-length debut called “Kafka”. 5 Songs inspired by Kafkas short proverbial works called “The Zürau Aphorisms.” (all in all 109 aphorisms written from September 1917 to April 1918).
“feeling my pulse quicken, a heart sailing
gripping ever-so-tightly, afraid to let this feeling go
seeing through newborn eyes, this world gleaming
tasting these bitter winds
words on the tips of severed tongues”
(from “Aphorism #17″)
The band plays an outstanding mix of screamo, punk and hmm…yeah lets call it some sort of post-metal. Like a love child of June Paik, Cathedraal, Fall of Efrafa and maybe Shark Bait. “Kafka” is without any doubts a heavy as fuck record but nevertheless a very very warm and embracing piece of beauty. Kinda strange but songs like “Aphorism #17″ or “Aphorism #87″ feel so comfortable albeit of their powerfulness. “Aphorism #63″ is an epic 11 min long masterpiece and “Aphorism #103″ comes up with an unexpected “acoustic” guitar part to finish this rad record after 34 min. Hope you’ll enjoy this too. Think of any superlatives you have, this album fits in.
If I had a rating scale or something like that, “Kafka” would be a strong 9 out of 10. Great debut guys. Keep up the work and hope to see you soon in Berlin.
“don’t leave
us devastated
with black seas
–consumes everything”
(from “Aphorism #103″)
Highly recommended.
Tracklist
01 – Aphorism #17
02 – Aphorism #16
03 – Aphorism #87
04 – Aphorism #63
05 – Aphorism #103
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