Monday 5 July 2021

Republic Of Dreams/Autarkeia - Split 7"


Labels: IFB Records/Moment Of Collapse/React With Protest/Suspended Soul Tapes And Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 09 Jun 2015


Tracklist:


1. Republic Of Dreams - Dooh Nibor

2. Republic Of Dreams - Would You Like Some Sauce...

3. Republic Of Dreams - No Pretense

4. Republic Of Dreams - Don't Live By Any Letter

5. Autarkeia - A Constant


I feel like I need to make more of this month, as I've been seriously off my writing rhythm over the last two or three. I have loads planned but it's just a case of finding the time and having the mental energy to see it through. That being said, I stated a few posts back that I wanted to fire out some quick ZBR roster reviews so I'm making good on that intention with a write-up about the 2015 split 7" featuring German hardcore band Republic Of Dreams and US heavy emo/post-hardcore band Autarkeia. This EP brings you four extremely fast songs form Republic Of Dreams and one lengthier track from Autarkeia. The pressing for this release consisted of 500 copies on black vinyl, with a really nice (possibly screen-printed?) sleeve, via the labels listed above.


Tackling Republic Of Dreams and their four songs first, opener ‘Dooh Nibor’ is a fast, off-kilter emo-violence song with loads of chaotic melody, similarly erratic drumming and those characteristic harsh vocals that make ROD such an intense listen. Screeching feedback is always a feature with emotive hardcore and it provides the lead-in to ‘Would You Like Some Sauce…’. It’s another fast one, though there are also subtle riffs that straddle the mid-paced line (they are very subtle!). I feel that there’s a Scandi influence to ROD’s sound as well.


‘No Pretense’ is more mathy than anything else on the ROD side of this split. I thought it was nigh on impossible for a band to make their music swirl and grow in such a short time, but it does so here. The band’s closing tome, ‘Don’t Live By Any Letter’ is equal parts Dillinger and Cursed, while still retaining everything that Republic Of Dreams do so well. 


As mentioned above, Autarkeia’s sole contribution is their track ‘A Constant’ and it’s very far removed from that of their split mates. Slower in tempo, the vocals are delivered with a snarling abandon and are full of emotion. The instrumentation is more jangly, especially the guitars and there are elements of crust within the sound here. Autarkeia’s song-writing gives them a more restrained edge, and a cohesion that’s very obvious.


I have nothing bad to say about this split (not that I’d voice any such opinions without being at least constructive while doing so!). It’s a great listen and both Republic Of Dreams, and Autarkeia are still active as far I can tell (though feel free to correct me if I’m wrong), so if you haven’t check this split out yet for whatever reason, there’s never a bad time to do it.


Stream/buy it digitally below:-



Republic Of Dreams - https://www.facebook.com/republicofdreamsdiy

Autarkeia - https://autarkeia.bandcamp.com


Physical copies are available from the labels below:-


IFB Records - http://www.ifbrecords.com/distrolist

React With Protest - http://www.reactwithprotest.org/store

Suspended Soul Tapes And Records - https://suspendedsoultapesrecords.bigcartel.com/

Zegema Beach Records - CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/


IFB Records - http://ifbrecords.blogspot.com

Moment Of Collapse - https://www.facebook.com/momentofcollapse

React With Protest - https://www.facebook.com/reactwithprotestdiy

Suspended Soul Tapes And Records - https://www.facebook.com/SuspendedSoulTapesRecords/

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords

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