Labels: Dog Knights Productions/Walking Is Still Honest Records/Zegema Beach Records
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 10 Jan 2013
Tracklist:
1. Constanza
2. Annapurna
3. Guindilla
4. 3yre
5. Astillas
6. La Forma Es El Vacio
7. El Vacio Es La Forma
8. Le Temps Détruit Tout
Today's been great, as I've been relaxing and enjoying plenty of music. This review will be the final one for today and it's one that I've been really excited about doing. It's the second in my retrospective series focusing on the catalogue of Canadian label Zegema Beach Records and it's about a record that I've had in my collection for sometime now, thanks to Dog Knights Productions here in the UK. I first discovered Spanish screamo band Descubriendo A Mr. Mime thanks to a split 7" (also featuring Silencio, Ahora, Silencio, that was released by DK Productions in 2011). I snapped this single-sided LP up when it came out in 2013 and still spin it regularly. It was ZBR's second release as a label and was limited to 249 copies (if Discogs is to be believed). As with my previous review in this series featuring Amber, Descubriendo A Mr. Mime is no longer an active band. Let this be a celebration!
This single-sided LP is a thing of beauty. From the cover art to the ultra-clear vinyl, which features a screen-printed bird along with other motifs (my copy /83), it was my introduction to the artistry that was put into many of the screamo releases that I went onto buy and cherish in the years following. Descubriendo A Mr. Mime managed to fit eight quick-fire songs onto one side of wax and in turn provided something truly brilliant. LP opener Constanza is filled with atmosphere straight from the get go. The opening melody and feedback give way technical screamo that is truly engaging. The song is mid-paced for its majority and doesn’t descend into chaotic territory, with the band preferring a measured approach. Annapurna is where they turn up the urgency and tempo. It’s still off-kilter and technical in places yet at times, musically at least, it reminds me of early era AFI (please feel free to tell my how wrong I am here).
The sound is so clear on the record and Guindilla stands out thanks to it’s simplicity and slightly more stripped back approach. It’s over all too quickly but what follows banishes any such thoughts. 3yre is fast and very much bass-heavy, with the inclusion of cinematic melody that’s become synonymous with European hardcore/screamo bands in recent years. Guiding you passed the record’s midway point, Astillas features the guest vocals of Polee from the band Rio Bravo (RIP). Immediately, there’s a subtly more caustic approach to the vocals, while the music retains a level of melody and restraint that fits so well. As I mentioned above, this gets a lot of spins from me but actually sitting down and writing about it brings a new perspective (without sounding pretentious).
The two-parter that begins with La Forma Es El Vacio contains a whispered intro, which may be a sample but I’m unsure, and sees a shift in sound with regimental percussion and a threat of implosion. That implosion occurs as the layers of instrumentation and harsh screams build. It’s one of those songs that exaggerates the feeling of anticipation and elation (in the best possible way). El Vacio Es La Forma follows it with a stop/start structure that’s at odds with it’s predecessor. It is, however; a well structured and delivered song that relies on different passages to both diffuse and build excitement as the record nears it’s close. Final song La Temps Detruit Tout uses up the final three-or-so-minutes of the format to great effect, sealing in the quality of Descubriendo A Mr. Mime and their music. Dramatic and enticing in every way, it’s a record that undoubtedly leaves you craving more…
You can stream and purchase a digital copy of the record directly from Descubriendo A Mr. Mime below:-
Vinyl copies are long since sold out from all three labels. There is a copy available on Discogs (should you be unable to find one elsewhere).
Descubriendo A Mr. Mime - https://www.facebook.com/descubriendoamrmime/
Dog Knights Productions - https://www.facebook.com/dogknights/
Walking Is Still Honest Records - https://www.facebook.com/walkingisstillhonestrecords/
Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords/
Next in the series will be Via Fondo.
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