Review Summary: "A gnarly collection of grungy post-hardcore songs"
No matter how good your band may be, if you're not getting any exposure -playing live shows, giving out demos, label advertising, etc. - your band’s name isn't going to get around very fast, if at all. Day of Less is a band that was in such a predicament, which is mostly why this long overdue review is about 6 or 7 years late. From the looks of things, their former label, Exigent Records seems to have vanished off the face of the Earth. Day of Less must have gone down with the label because they're nowhere to be found nowadays. Which is technically a lie since about 3/4 of the band are now in the band Gaza.
Porcaria is best described by former members themselves, currently active in the band Gaza."A gnarly collection of grungy post-hardcore songs". They pretty much nail it. Although, for anyone to say this band is just like Gaza would have to be either deaf or extremely misled. The first track, “Magpie” crushes in a thick coat of down-tuned, dissonance that serves to dish out intensity as well as conceal sweet, yet memorable melodies. Plenty of variety within the vocal department keeps the track interesting and it never goes stale. Luckily, this isn’t any sort of formula. This track was just what was needed to reel the listener in only to drop them back into the pitch black sea from which they were pulled.
Sweet, yet progressively eerie melodies cascade from dissonance, creating a hollow and confusing state of dementia that is truly unique. This hybrid of Post-hardcore and Ambience combined with Sludge and Noise is what gives Day of Less a sound of their own. When it comes to each individual members skills in terms of their craft, the obvious leaders of the pack is the rhythm section: The drummer and bassist drive this band, as these simple, unraveling melodies wouldn’t maintain the staying power they posses without such a transcending rhythmic diversity.
It’s obvious that this record isn’t meant to shock or even to be accepted by the mainstream…or even the underground for that matter. This is a record of superior songwriting; such a complex understanding of their own sound as a band and as a unique entity. An entity alone, amongst thousands of imitators makes this album truly amazing. This is one of those albums that deserve the listener’s attention to completely appreciate its full effect, as the tracks as individuals can sometimes seem weak. Turn off the lights, lie in a comfy chair and experience this LP as it was meant to be, but sadly, never was.
