Pianos Become The Teeth, Old Pride

Wow.

As simple as that. “Wow” is all I can say about Old Pride, the latest CD from Pianos Become The Teeth. In their press kit, they’re referred to as “screamo,” whatever the Hell that is, but they remind me of a metalcore band that listens to a lot of ISIS. The have the screaming vocals and heavy guitars of metalcore, but there’s an incredibly complex layer of music underneath that takes it to another level.  From the opening track “Filial,” you get this confusingly awesome amalgam of lush guitar sounds, a driving beat, and singer Kyle Durfey screaming his life away.

While that vocal style may seem at odds with the music, what it does is actually add to the emotion of the track. Emotion and feeling is a big part of these songs, because even if you can’t understand the lyrics, you can just sense the magnitude of what the lyrics are about. Just listen to “Pensive”; when you hear Durfey screaming, “I’m ready!” as the music behind him build to a climax, you’re right there along with him.

The album closes with “Young Fire,” a seven-minute instrumental that really showcases the ISIS inspiration and serves as the perfect ending for Old Pride. Even though there are no words, it still paints a picture just as well as any other song on the album.

Unusual name aside, Pianos Become The Teeth have released one of the best albums of the year. It’s an amazing collection that should appeal to fans of the heavy stuff as well as the Pitchfork crowd that likes to dip their toes in the waters of the avant-garde.