Style: Post-Hardcore, Progressive Metal, Post-Metal, Alternative (mixed vocals)
Review by: Dan
Country: USA
Release date: 13 August, 2021
As much as the bulk of my listening is extreme metal, I have a massive soft spot for Atlanta prog/art/post-rock band O’Brother. They have crafted a uniquely emotional mix of moody ambiance, riff, groove, and gorgeous, haunting vocals that scratches an itch I haven’t been able to satisfy with anything else. Mellowing over the course of their discography, while cranking up the emotion knob, they have entirely won me over and – I think – get better and better with each new record. Big, dramatic crescendos, layered vocals, drums that add perfect mood (by going far beyond simply keeping time) all come together in a rich package that speaks to my very soul.
Seeing as they are, however, a single-sourced component on the critical path of my listening satisfaction, I’m always on the lookout for music that hits me in a similar way. North Carolina trio Speech Act, with their debut full-length Letters on Extinction’s Piece, have gotten as close as any to scratching my O’Brother itch. Blending heavier emotional influences from post-hardcore like Thrice or Brand New, with the engaging dynamics of post-black metal like Deafheaven or Lantlôs, and songwriting (and occasionally even vocal delivery) that makes me think of Coheed and Cambria, Letters on Extinction’s Piece is a remarkably well-balanced and effective record with a ton of replay value.
The songs on Letters are varied and dynamic, melodic, engaging, and emotional, and their flow on the album is excellent. Lyrically, the songs attribute very human feelings and emotions to nature, observing the destruction humanity has wrought upon the planet, and reminding the listener that all is connected. The concept is powerful and well-crafted, with intelligent and insightful songs that cut deep and resonate without being too on-the-nose about climate change. The vocal delivery is emotive and covers a massive swath of styles and intensities. I wouldn’t mind seeing the harsh gutturals grow a bit more powerful, but overall, the vocal performances are superb.
Not only are the thoughtful lyrics and meaningful concept executed with aplomb, but the music on this album is also fucking outstanding. The band has a phenomenal grasp of songwriting, dynamics, melody, rhythm, and structure, effortlessly and organically bringing songs from whispers to blastbeats. There’s an accessible sensibility to the songs that makes them delightfully effective at delivering their emotional messages, despite eschewing reliance on predictable repetition or verse-chorus structures. That’s not to say there’s no repetition – in fact, the band frequently uses repetition of a word or short phrase to build tension and reinforce emotions (a powerful songwriting technique drawn straight out of the post-hardcore toolkit) – but few if any passages repeat throughout the album’s (too short!) 36 minute runtime.
The guitars are dynamic and expressive, without being overly technical or showy. The songs are never really about the riffs, but are completely and flawlessly supported by them without growing boring or stale. When the songs shift the focus a bit more towards the guitars, they highlight well the capabilities of guitarist Colten Smith. The entire performance is whip tight but still lively, thanks in large part to a masterful drum performance from Evan Moore and a rich, and balanced mix. Great care was given to small details in the album’s production so that moments like the end of “Two Brothers” and the drop in “Bloody Sundays” hit extra hard – really making this three-piece sound fucking MASSIVE.
There’s not much else for me to say here – this is perfection without pretention. A hugely dynamic, emotional, and engaging journey with moments that took my breath away, and which exists in a league of its own in my mental music library. While I can’t give a perfect 10 – it’s a little too short, leaving me wanting a more epic conclusion, and there’s one distractingly weak vocal passage – Speech Act has certainly set the bar quite high with Letters on Extinction’s Piece, and I can’t wait to see where it takes them.
Recommended tracks: Two Brothers, The Trees Are A Nervous System, Bloody Sundays
Recommended for fans of: O’Brother, Coheed & Cambria, Brand New
Final verdict: 9/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram
Speech Act is:
– Travis MK (bass, vocals, acoustic guitar)
– Evan Moore (drums, vocals)
– Colten Smith (guitar)
0 Comments