Overmars
Born Again
6.1
I loved the last release from France’s Overmars, Affliction, Endocrine… Vertigo, as it delivered a dirty, twisted more surreal take on post hardcore/post rock, but this single track, 40 minute EP (which was originally released last year) doesn’t impress me nearly as much.
Other than the whole 40 minute song issue, which I’m never a fan of, part of the issue, is that for the track's first half, female bassist Marion has taken over some of the vocal duties, and her PMS filled shriek and wail is actually kind of grating. Also, musically Overmars appear, at least on this EP, to taken a dingier, more caustic approach that, while certainly dark, harrowing and more mechanical, lacks some of the emotional depth, layers and textures of the last album.
That’s not to say there is no emotion on Born Again- there is, but it’s a barren, stark and more minimalist mood created by more of a reliance on pulsing throbbing riffs as opposed to ebbs, flows, peaks and crescendos. In fact - a large part of the song's transitional mid section is nothing more than clanking, banging and electronic pulses and programming. That being said, for the track’s latter half, Xavier Therat takes over the vocal duties with a deep roar/scream and the song seems to find a droning, steadier, lurching, structured pace, which sits a little better with me.
Still, I have a hard time listening to this release in one sitting, especially the first 2 thirds. And the last third really does not make the same impression that Affliction, Endocrine… Vertigo, made. So I’m hoping Born Again is more of an experimental indulgence and anomaly rather than the band's chosen full time direction.
Related
OvermarsAffliction, Endocrine... Vertigo
6/28/2005