If you paid close attention to what’s happening on the Balkan post-hardcore scene, then you probably noticed that the late nineties to early noughties post-hardcore, screamo, and emo scene is thriving right now. There are many bands emulating this beautiful era when the sincere emotion and raw sound collided into a well-orchestrated slab of harmonious noise. And although there are many music outlets that gravitate towards that specific sound, only a few manage to deliver something genuine, unique, fresh, far beyond simplistic words and the same old riffs. Well, Dead Dog Summer are no strangers to this website, and their latest piece of sonic artistry also falls into the category of those recordings that maintain the original late-nineties sound while simultaneously bringing many impressive ideas and outstanding sonic maneuvers that feel both original and innovative, yet somehow close to home. Building Again, their second effort released via Geenger Records and their own imprint My Last Station, pretty much sums up what these folks have been doing since their debut. Besides many live gigs, they’ve been tirelessly working on these songs, which, by all means, offer a glimpse into their ever-evolving post-hardcore sound.
If you love your post-hardcore music, emotive, raw, and complex, Building Again will be right up your alley. This album shines with some of the best ideas and musicianship this genre has witnessed, not only in the Balkans but also on the entire European soil, bringing back the genuine sound that made us fall in love with the genre in the first place. By employing the finest elements of screamo, emo, and melodic punk rock, Dead Dog Summer elevates their sonic direction to new heights, making post-hardcore not only accessible to longtime fans but also to anyone who appreciates melodic underground music performed straight from the heart. With nine songs exploring various sentiments, moods, situations, and circumstances, the band navigates the hardships of life with such precision and finesse, offering their point of view about what makes us human. Each composition is conveyed through a barrage of clean, melodic chants, executed with so much emotion and passion, but you’ll also stumble upon powerful screams and shouts, delivered during the moments when these songs need aggression the most. Besides all those melodic harmonies and enraged screams, you’ll also notice occasional, additional vocal layers, back vocals, and sing-alongs, giving even more power and rawness to the thematics explored within songs. Each vocal line, melody, and harmony has its place and purpose here, making these tracks so ear-appealing and challenging at times.
The guitars do a lot of heavy lifting here, contributing more than necessary melody and harmony through mesmerizing themes. You’ll also notice how all those arpeggiated chord progressions and riffs perfectly pair with the leads, making this epic sonic voyage as complex as it could possibly be in a trio setting. Still, Dead Dog Summer is one of those music groups that know when enough is enough, so they perfectly balance the complexity with more moderate moments where listeners have a chance to take a deep breath, embrace four-chord progressions or palm-muted riffs, and then prepare for another collection of technically demanding melodic segments. They understand that all the good songs need both tension and release, moments where the listeners will feel the creatively assembled balance between melody and aggression, mellowness and power. If guitars are doing heavy lifting in terms of melody, then the bass guitar is one of those instruments that plays a significant role in bringing more warmth, clarity, depth, and detail to these songs. By delivering those sharp, clean, low-end notes, this important instrument makes these songs so detailed, to the point that there’s another layer of melody lurking right beneath the guitars. Besides all of that, the bass guitar also serves as a binding element between guitars and the remainder of the rhythm section, making sure everything is tied together in harmony without losing aggression. Last, but not definitely the least, are the drums, a vital role that exemplfiies what dynamics, groove, and energy mean. With a comprehensive collection of tastefully, wisely, expertly assembled, flawlessly performed, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics, the drummer keeps the remainder of the band in line while dictating groove and pace. Each instrument has its place and purpose here, making Building Again such an epic sonic voyage worth experiencing over and over again.
If you love your post-hardcore melodic, energetic, and honest, Building Again will definitely keep you occupied for weeks, even months. It will easily become one of your favorite recordings, a prized possession in your record collection. This release is packed with so many memorable moments that you’ll definitely spin it every time when you need a sincere melodic post-hardcore sound, coming from one of the finest trios the Croatian underground scene ever had. Head to Geenger Records and secure a vinyl record for yourself or your loved ones.
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