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Capsule

Blue [12 inch] (2008)
Robotic Empire

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Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 16th 2009

When I saw them at The Fest, Capsule were an ugly band. I don't mean physically. It was the sound itself -- an absolutely frothing, choking mess that was not for the lighthearted or claustrophobic. You know -- aurally, at least.

Needless to say, it was a bit overwhelming. But on record, everything makes a little more sense. Specifically, it's their Blue full-length, released about a year ago. The distortion is reared back a bit, and there's more room to breathe. All the angular riffs bounce around in a manner of chaos that's easy to discern, topped off with a scream I can only describe as smothered. For several tracks, it's just unrelenting, but at least you can understand and more easily digest the madness.

Capsule occasionally get labeled with the screamo tag and it doesn't really seem that accurate. This is more in the realm of a sped-up, experimental hardcore take on the Melvins or Black Flag's noisier era (partial credit to Aubin for noticing the similarities), though the band know how to lay back and offer more heavily ambient textures: "Determinal" is an extended, sonically dynamic centerpiece that stretches beyond the eight-minute mark and flows perfectly quietly into "Blue/Green." Yet all along, there's a very ash-black, smoldering layer to things and it's downright eerie.

Things kick back to "normal" with "Flowerpower," sticking it to the jugular with riffs pulled around sharp angles, bouncing every which way. Complex drum fills further complicate things, but it's interesting to follow it along. It's got another lumbering slowdown before the intensity comes back for the last three tracks.

As you might guess from the above descriptions, Blue is about easy to describe as it might be describing the color blue to a friend of Jonas. I can't say I'm floored, but it's a confounding experience that does leave you wanting more in some sick way.

STREAM
Cobalt Connection
Symptom of Spectacle
Flowerpower

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SilentStorms (January 18, 2009)

"the vinyl comes with a cd how can you not listen to it?"

Cuz I shipped it to Canada so I wouldn't have to pack a vinyl in my suitcase.

nocigar (January 17, 2009)

very chaotic indeed. this shit will rip your face off, whipe your ass with it, and then reattach.

blanktapesemptybottles (January 17, 2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDOc7Az-oh8

CCSummers (January 17, 2009)

This sounds sick. I would say it's def screamo. Not screamo as in Silverstein, but real screamo a la pg. 99.

theyounginfluential (January 17, 2009)

dude, one of my favorite albums of the year, hands down

blanktapesemptybottles (January 16, 2009)

the vinyl comes with a cd how can you not listen to it?

i-type-poorly (January 16, 2009)

Allow me to gay this page up.

score's for that capsule

SilentStorms (January 16, 2009)

I bought this 12inch, but I live in Korea with no record player so I'm anxiously waiting to get home so I can hear this. I've only heard their split with Devices (hence the score) and thought they kind of sounded like Jerome's Dream. I have the feeling I'll be seriously digging this album though.

mean_and_Average (January 16, 2009)

great band. takes a couple listens to get into it, but its worth the work.

wonderful live too

feeeding5000 (January 16, 2009)

I absolutely love this record. It's better than you think it is. I feel like people are *too* seldom using the "screamo" tag - Capsule definitely fits in. I would say there are elements of noise and post-rock in there, but that's what makes them unique. My favorite album of 2008 (that I actually heard)!

aubin (January 16, 2009)

If it makes you feel any better, I rated the album quite highly. It's in my top albums of 2008 (http://www.punknews.org/review/7927)

inagreendase (January 16, 2009)

Hey, I waited 11 months and no one wanted to write about it. So now you get my mild praise and a few select comments about how I'm underrating it.

Tangy (January 16, 2009)

One of the better albums released last year

blanktapesemptybottles (January 16, 2009)

these guys are one of the sickest live bands period. seriously see them or if they happen to be on you tube or something, also this album is amazing and worthy of much more than three stars.