Virginia-based post-hardcore band Engine Down's debut album showed a rougher sound that would later only be an influence in the rest of their music: the classic D.C. sound. Unlike the rest of their discography, Under the Pretense of Present Tense also features screaming that's actually pulled off rather well. Like with the rest of their music, Engine Down favors more simple instrumentation with not much obvious technicality. The overall sound mostly resembles the typical emo sound of the time and area, with cleaner melodies and softer singing/spoken word leading up to rather harsh, distorted guitars and screaming. This album shows a more intense sound that showed how Engine Down was a force to be reckoned with.
