Review Summary: A tumultuous descent into madness.
"Vespr" by Pangaea really draws a lot from their contemporaries, especially the progressive, metalcore and deathcore stylings of Between the Buried and Me and The Contortionist. However, they definitely add their own twist, steering clear of just recycling old ideas. The production stands out, highlighting those sharp snare hits. It kind of reminds you of Converge, both in sound and production style, but Pangaea takes it a step further with more compression and a cinematic approach. Hardcore punk plays a big role in the album, with high-energy drum beats that create a sense of urgency. Thankfully, this intensity is balanced out by some catchy melodies, which is where the comparison to The Contortionist really shines.
The atmosphere can feel otherworldly and futuristic, pulling listeners into a unique experience. The opening track, "Survivor's Guilt," sets the tone with its spacey synths. Lyrically, the album dives deep into themes of anguish, like the line about sleeplessness. It seems like the main character is haunted by a vision that’s left him anxious and troubled. Those who deal with anxiety can definitely relate to this feeling of something lurking, always waiting for you to stumble in whatever you’re pursuing. The opening track nails this feel perfectly, capturing that nocturnal mood in its darker moments. It conveys a sense of discomfort as the protagonist navigates through tough times, even if he’s struggling. The song's structure might feel a bit all over the place, but it actually works in its favor. The album has a bit of a scattered approach, but there’s definitely a sense of direction as each part unfolds the character's journey. As the track progresses, things reach a boiling point where the character is on the verge of breaking down, and it feels like a change is desperately in need.
"Eighteen Nights" stands out as a more organized track compared to the opener, and the album keeps a consistent lyrical theme that makes for a tight listening experience. This song has some super catchy rhythms that remind you of Protest the Hero, making it a blast to jam out to, plus it features some classic style riffs. "Seen in Parallel" is a bit more nuanced but is still plenty intense, with the vocalist really showcasing his range. The more relaxed approach of this track is a refreshing shift, perfectly capturing the sense of sadness and despair the main character might be experiencing. The album cover also paints a vivid picture of this scene. You can imagine the character as an everyday guy in a bustling city, with skyscrapers looming over him from every angle. He might be wandering the streets at night to vent his frustrations.
The track "Acceptance" really nails the character's journey towards some kind of resolution. It feels a lot more uplifting compared to what we've heard before. On the other hand, "The Vespr Session" takes a different route. This final track ramps up the drama once more with a cinematic approach, thanks to the choir and strings that really enhance the epic atmosphere. However, the ending leaves things a bit ambiguous—it's hard to tell if the main character actually triumphed or not. That might be what the band intended, so it works out. It definitely keeps the listener on their toes even after the album wraps up. All in all, "Vespr" has a broad appeal, mixing futuristic prog elements with hardcore metal and punk beats that keep it fresh. Unfortunately, since the band has disbanded, we won't be seeing any new albums.