Let’s be real for a second, most progressive music can feel a little cold. It’s often technically perfect but emotionally empty. Then you have a band like Dark Satellite. Their latest full-length, Splitting Image, is the exact opposite of that. It’s a record sounding like it was forged in the back of a van, refined during sound checks in San Francisco, and hammered out in late-night living room jams. It’s an album that wears its heart and incredible technicality on its sleeve, proving that you can be both melodic and progressive in post-punk at the same time. These folks have spent the last year and a half stockpiling riffs and melodies, some of which lived in their heads for years before finally being laid to rest in this recording. Every single note on Splitting Image was chosen because it delivered an emotional kick, resulting in a sound that people have tried to label differently so many times, but it actually sounded uniquely like Dark Satellite. You get the atmospheric post-punk moodiness, the indie rock melodics, the raw power of post-hardcore, and the intricate, brain-bending structures of math rock and post-progressive. It’s a wild ride that feels completely cohesive, mainly because the band decided to dust off the cobwebs, remove the barriers, and just be genuine. They wrote this material to express themselves, and that honesty is what makes the album so fascinating.
The marvelous vocal performance sits at the very center of this fine piece of sonic artistry. The vocal performance brings an incredible sense of melody and harmony to what are, frankly, some of the most progressive and complex guitar works you’ll hear this year. It’s a voice that bridges the gap between intellectual depth and instinctual impact. It provides a focal point for the listener, a guiding light through the dense layers of sound, making sure that even at its most experimental, the music remains leveled in a relatable, human portrayal. It’s more than clear that those riffs were curated over time, filtered through the lens of countless live shows and personal setbacks. The guitar oscillates with sharp, rough post-punk edges and lush, expansive math-rock soundscapes. The use of complex chord progressions and unique melodic themes is so impressive, but you’ll never get the feeling like they’re showing off for the sake of it. Every technical flourish serves the emotional core, turning what could have been a cold math rock experiment into something into a wild, unpredictable, complex, fascinating sonic voyage. Splitting Image is packed with incredible dynamics, showcased by the mind-blowing rhythm section. Let’s talk about the basslines, because they are vividly hearable in a way that most bands simply ignore. The bass contributes its own layers of complexity, warmth, and groove. Its heavy, firm presence fills out the soundscape, providing a much-needed layer of harmonic density. You’ll notice how it acts as a sonic glue that holds the experimental jazz-like shifts and the heavy indie-rock power together. There’s a noticeable movement in those basslines, keeping those tracks physical, even when the structures get complex.
The drummer keeps everything in line with flawless precision while simultaneously dictating the groove and depth of the entire record. We’re treated to a masterclass of well-accentuated beats, sharp breaks, and fills that are executed with terrifying efficiency. It’s the drumming that isn’t afraid to be busy, but always knows exactly when to lock in and provide the necessary structural power. The precision and finesse on display here allow the band to navigate the shifts between post-hardcore aggression and post-rock atmosphere without ever losing its foundation. You can tell that Dark Satellite opened up completely as individuals to make this record. It’s a record that was motivated by collective efforts and inspired by the deep connection between the three members. They are just trying to sound like themselves, and in doing so, they’ve created something a unique listening experience worth repeating over and over again. This is a wonderful album that will unquestionably appeal to anyone who appreciates music performed with such precision and finesse. It’s a record for the listeners who want their rock music to be smart, but also honest. It’s for the listener who loves the math rock complexities but also craves the emotional weight of a great indie rock sound. Dark Satellite released a piece of themselves, and it’s a magnificent, heavy, and beautifully complex journey. If you’ve been looking for an album that actually means something, a record that takes the best parts of the progressive and punk rock worlds and fuses them with genuine human emotion, then Splitting Image is your new obsession. Dark Satellite has absolutely crushed it. Go clear some space in your head and let this record in. You won’t regret the ride. Head to their Bandcamp page for more information about ordering this gem on CD.
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