Let’s cut right to the chase: if you consider yourself a devotee of post-hardcore, screamo, or any music that uses raw emotion as a weapon, you need to stop what you’re doing and pay attention. Reflection have delivered their latest full-length, Cleft Stick, via Geenger Records, and it’s safe to say this is their magnum opus. This album represents the internal and external struggle, perfectly executed by four musicians who have clearly mastered the art of channeled chaos. This is a must-have LP for every true post-hardcore/screamo fan, and the reasons are etched deep within its abrasive yet beautifully crafted soundscapes. Reflection operates at the forefront of emotionally charged music, expertly fusing the desperate haste of classic screamo with the vast, atmospheric post-metal and post-rock textures. This means the album has incredible dynamic range. You move from moments of intense, claustrophobic rage to expansive, melancholic space in the blink of an eye. The band takes the blueprints of the late ’90s emotional hardcore scene and builds a complex, modern fortress around it.
You’ll immediately stumble upon fierce vocal delivery, demonstrating a level of control and conviction rarely heard or seen on the modern hardcore scene. The screams are well articulated, soulful, and passionately delivered, expertly channeling the collective emotion of the entire band. There’s a raw, noticeable power in the voice that bridges the gap between the melodic themes and crushing heaviness. Jovan Lješević conveys resolute honesty and desperate emotion, making sure that the internal strife and solidity is always projected forward. His performance unquestionably bleeds confidence and defines the cathartic sonic experience. Miloš Banašević is solely responsible for blending all those sonic layers together, as you get the fundamental building blocks of hardcore in his guitar performance. The thick, driving power chords and hard-hitting riffs, all delivered with a generous, yet perfectly regulated, serving of distortion. This provides the essential impact and aggression. However, the brilliance lies in the counterpoint. Besides all these heavy sections, you’ll also notice wisely assembled regular and arpeggiated chord progressions, intricate melodies, and lush harmonies. These are the moments where all those post-metal and post-rock influences shine, as particular moments are carried by clean notes drenched in a beautiful reverb effect. These dualities give the music incredible depth and tension, providing the violence of the struggle and the introspection required to survive it.
Then we come to the bass, which plays an absolutely vital role here. The basslines are complex, showcasing a level of delicate technicality and nuance that elevates the album far beyond the average hardcore release. Miloš Radosavljević adapts to the mood delivered by the guitars. During all those heavy moments, the bass is often heavily drenched in distortion, contributing tremendous power, depth, and a sludgy low-end that makes the sound physically imposing. But in those moments when the guitars transition into those melodic, arpeggiated themes, the bass cleans up its tone. It moves with melodic sense, providing a clean, warm foundation that allows the guitar melodies to glide. Therefore, the bass guitar here acts as an active, conscious contributor to the emotional texture of the entire album. Nikola Jovanović provides dynamics, groove, and intricate detail through continuous, powerful performance. His drumming is packed with cleverly assembled beats, sharp breaks, complex fills, and other sonic maneuvers that constantly keep the listener engaged. But the secret weapon here is his usage of various accentuations. These are precisely executed percussive hits that unquestionably enhance particular moments, a sudden crash on a vocal climax, an unexpected shift in the ride cymbal pattern during a melodic segment, or a well-placed break that amplifies the following burst of emotion. These dynamics inject crucial energy, rhythm, and structural power into the music, showcasing that the drummer is the architect responsible for managing the extreme emotional shifts.
The entire album functions as a cohesive work, exemplifying the maturity of this quartet. Reflection has achieved a state of being where all these disparate elements, the emotional screams, heavy distortion, the clean reverb washes, the intricate bass work, and the thoughtful drumming, actively support and enhance one another. Cleft Stick is an uncompromising statement on internal struggle and solidity, delivered with a forward-thinking vision. It’s a perfect album that draws on the heart-on-sleeve intensity of screamo music while simultaneously breaking all the rules and shapeshifting boundaries into the grand, atmospheric territory of post-hardcore. Cleft Stick is Reflection’s most accomplished work to date. It reaffirms their position as melodic hardcore torchbearers, not just in the Serbian underground scene, but on the regional stage. If you crave depth, technically precise musicianship, and refined passion in your heavy music, then this material will be right up your alley. It’s essential listening, a record that will demand repeat listenings as you peel back the layers of its complex, powerful sound and the new benchmark for emotional hardcore crafted with clear vision and ambition. Head to Geenger Records or contact the band via social media platforms for more information about ordering this gem on vinyl.
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