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Snapcase

End Transmission
2002
Victory

Snapcase - End Transmission (Cover Artwork)

Review by: JanelleJ
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Published on September 27th 2002

Snapcase, whose vision is that of progress and enlightenment, have managed to eclipse their last release Designs for Automotion with End Transmission, a true tour de force. This disc is unfathomably deep, insightful, and overflowing with their signature brand of aggressive yet melodic hardcore.

A disc dedicated to exploring the human condition and trying to discern where our civilization will be in the year 2071, Transmission is a study in rebellion and escaping oppression. The lyrics on each song, starting with the third track, the Orwellian-tinged "The Beat," deal with every step of the revolution, from the plan on the aptly named "Believe, Revolt," to its aftermath on the impassioned finale "ID/Hindsight." The immense scope of this concept makes for a truly complex and memorable disc.

As for the music, it doesn't get much better than this. The opening song, "Coagulate," with its brutal onslaught of intense rhythms and Daryl Taberski's unique vocals, sets the stage for plenty of songs teeming with aggression and melody galore. The music supplements the motif of rebellion to a tee, as Snapcase plays intense, emotionally-charged hardcore. The feelings expressed through the vocals are likewise mirrored in the instrumentation. For instance, "A Synthesis of Classic Forms" alternates between soft, serene music and muted vocals to a screaming, chaotic sound, and finally ends with a piano solo. And, this disc is extremely diverse, as songs like "New Kata" and "Ten a.m." are intensely emotional but never lacking an edge, while "Believe Revolt," a brutally harsh song with it's pounding drums and blazing guitars, is the epitome of rebellion. These elements are also evident in "Aperture," which highlights Taberski's frantic, screaming vocals and similarly chaotic guitars and unrelenting drums. But, the best song must be "Exile Etiquette, which is a little on the slower side. The tempo along with the distant-sounding vocals give it an unusual aura of mystery.

Thus, End Transmission is a disc for the ages, for not only does Snapcase rock out on every track, but it's revolutionary in its scope and vision. In fact, because of it's grandiose epic style, this could be considered a "rock opera" for the new millennium.

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Posted by brown on 2007-04-24 18:04:56

I could just be crazy, but this gives me a "Jupiter" vibe, however the execution on this album is far superior.

Posted by Piebalding on 2004-11-19 09:56:45
My Score:

I couldn't say it better than the previous review did. Great concept album.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 21, 2003 at 12:46 PM (EST)
My Score:

this is the fugazi of hardcore, great album, great band

Posted by evilash on 2002-11-15 11:22:35
My Score:

Who Shot the Shot to Break The Blood Clot?? amazing

Posted by CanadianPunkRawker on 2002-10-01 18:06:28
My Score:

Snapcase totally rocks the house when they were here with strung out i swear the crowd was dying for more this cd is the shiznit

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 30, 2002 at 2:33 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This album rocks and I love the song Believe, Revolt! This band is growing on me.

Ramo

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 30, 2002 at 1:52 PM (EDT)
My Score:

The only bad thing about this album is that sticky crap that is on the case when you pull off the label. damn.

-sickboi

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 30, 2002 at 10:56 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I dont like Snapcase... never have... probably never will... but I will download a few songs from this album and give it a whirl. I hear good things so maybe some of them are true.-BostonMusicGuy

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 30, 2002 at 7:49 AM (EDT)
My Score:

End Transmission is defenitley ranking up there with my favorites.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 30, 2002 at 6:32 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Well worth the money, snapcase has done it again-oldpunker-

Posted by kirbypuckett on 2002-09-29 18:31:33
My Score:

In all honesty I fuckin' hate this band. I just can't get into them...I try and I try and I try...but I've heard a few songs from this and I'm going to buy it. Seriously, this record is so much better than anything this band has ever recorded. Yeah, something like that...

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/~uw/
(I swear I'm working on adding more punk rock buddy icons)

Posted by Fuzzy on 2002-09-29 14:29:28
My Score:

Did someone from Victory commission to write that opening paragraph, or was it just taken from their website?

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 8:46 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Great, great album.
As far as the genre goes, I like this better than Thrice's The Illusion of Safety and GlassJaw's - Worshipt and Tribute, both of which I thought were 4 to 5 star albums. The story aspect is really cool, and it's a lot better than the Coheed and Cambria attempt.

I never even really got into this band, and now it's up there for Best Album of the Year, in my opinion.

Posted by sickboi on 2002-09-28 19:39:30
My Score:

Awesome, awesome review, did you sit down and talk with the band about this album or something?....

"Coagulate" is one the Snapcase's best songs EVER.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 7:06 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This score is for the review itself. It's nice to read one that has something else to say than "i was so stoked to get this record but it fucking sucked."

I can't wait to pick up this album.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 5:18 PM (EDT)
My Score:

to the post bashing the rock opera comparison...whats so bad about releasing an album that a reviewer wants to compare to tommy?

Posted by aubin on 2002-09-28 16:56:33
My Score:

I'm finding this a bit of a mixed bag, as records go; I thought the same thing about their last release. Progression... was just such a perfect, intense record, and it really was the peak of the heavier Snapcase.

That said, it's only because they've been so good, that I'm being critical I think. It's a good record, and most bands would be lucky to put out something of this quality, but it's just not the Snapcase I know and love.

(For the record, I like that the band has evolved... but where they've evolved too, is what I'm mixed on.)

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 11:57 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Haven't heard this, but the cover art is very cool.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 10:07 AM (EDT)
My Score:

While this record is no "Progression Through Unlearning" (can snapcase put out a better cd than that? I think not), this is still a really great cd, and it's better than Designs For Automation.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 28, 2002 at 9:42 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Great review, great record! People whining about Snapcase not progressing.. Shut the fuck up, right now! They got me into hardcore in 1992 with their debut 7" "Comatose", and they have been great ever since. Catchy, yet hardcore, music with lyrics that actually what to put something across. Not just tell you about that the vocalist fell in love with this really awsome girl he saw in some video on MTV. We should be glad that there's still big HC bands around that bother..
That's all, b-bye folks..

Posted by maverick on 2002-09-28 02:08:29
My Score:

This score is for the review - excellent writing, Janelle.

As for the album [and the band]:
I've always been a sort-of fan of Snapcase. I think that their music just keeps getting better and better. I still cannot comprehend how their singer "sings" the same high pitched squeal of a note over and over again - he's been doing it for TEN YEARS. You think he would've developed some vocal inflection in that time? I dunno.

-Scott

Posted by Dubar on 2002-09-27 23:27:15
My Score:

haha I saw them the other night and they played this really really slow like flangy song and everyone started a slow-motion pit.. it was the greatest thing ever

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 27, 2002 at 9:54 PM (EDT)
My Score:

snapcase, "rock opera"?

Posted by Bryne on 2002-09-27 21:18:22
My Score:

I really can't wait to hear this. I won it, but I haven't received it yet. I'm not saying I'm impatient or anything. OK maybe I am.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 27, 2002 at 9:14 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Snapcase hasn't made anything interesting in a loooong time. I have my doubts about this one...

--Cos

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 27, 2002 at 9:09 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Yeah, this record is golden. A bit slower than their previous records, but much more diverse. It sure bears the hell out of any other so-called "harcore records" released this year.

Posted by theme on 2002-09-27 20:05:51
My Score:

Snapcase makes me giddy ... must purchase this weekend...

-Me

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