Review Summary: Stolas 2014 > Stolas 2013
If there’s one genre of music that’s completely exploded in popularity in the past couple years, it’s what I’ve affectionately deemed tweedle-deedle core. If you’re reading this review you’re familiar with the formula: progressive hammer-on/pull-off guitar styling with ever-morphing time signatures mixed with equally intricate drumming. Prior to the release of
Allomaternal it seemed Stolas were comfortable simply riding the coattails of the scene’s “titans” Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds. After all, they weren’t exactly a band you stumbled across, they were one you saw were signed to Will Swan’s Blue Swan Records. Last year’s
Living Creatures, while a more than respectable debut both technically and musically, had a noticeable rawness to it that provided a spark of charm but also gave it an air of immaturity that held it back in the end. Fast forward a year later and while these “titans” have resorted to rapping and long bouts of spoken-word interludes to fill space, Stolas instead decided to show off an upgraded version of themselves and the result can easily push them to the forefront of their respective scene.
What
Allomaternal essentially seems to be is Stolas saying to us with no gimmicks or tricks, “We’ve practiced our asses off and gotten better in every way, tell us what you think”, and while the band was never
bad the improvements they display are pretty evident throughout the record. Everything from the production, songwriting, vocals, drumming, and guitar play are tight and executed remarkably well. The vocals in particular, which were frankly not good in
Living Creatures, sound much better, and have a newfound weight and power to them that adds an extra punch and emotion to the songs. This emotion is primarily conveyed, however, through the fantastic song writing structures and techniques the band employs. The hooks present
Allomaternal especially in songs like “Losing Wings” and “Solunar” are borderline addicting, and the band never gets so lost in their technicality as to lose sight of the beauty a good slow passage can provide a record.
Even with the excellent guitar play and drastic improvement vocally by the band, the highlight of
Allomaternal has to be the drumming. People who listened to
Living Creatures last year or this year’s EP by Sianvar know that Sergio Medina knows how write some wonky and original riffs on his guitar, but who knew that within their drummer Carlo Marquez lay the same glowing potential? The man shines bright in many parts of
Allomaternal with tight, intricate fills and leads which are helped along by some excellent production, even stealing the show in some passages like the slow bridge of “Counterpoise”. With the power of the Blue Swan, Stolas have certainly achieved their vision with
Allomaternal. It warms the heart to see the guys not resort to gimmicks to convey their sound and instead use old-fashioned practice and songwriting to make a good product into a great one. Tweedle-deedle core is in good hands with these guys around.
