Colony/Divider – Split

For my first review I figure I should do something I really have been waiting for and couldn’t wait to hear. So I had to go with the Colony/Divider Split that is up for pre-order now. As I ordered pre-ordered the album, Divider was nice enough to send an early release digital download to me for pre-ordering.

Now let’s get right into the music, up first Divider. As I had not really listened to much Divider before this, I came in with an open mind. As soon as I heard the feedback kick in on Tide Lungs, I knew I was in for something good. Right off the bat, I get this melodic, down tempo feel to Divider. The raspy and droning vocals are really in your face and the lyrics seem to be saying more than you can hear. The constant follow of the rhythm guitar and the chugging of the bass line, makes you want to bang your head in a circular motion and stomp your feet. The relentless pounding of drums seemed so basic to me but really brought each instrument together. What might be considered just another melodic hardcore with some small breaks is really a great track and has so many intricate and moving parts.

Next up is Colony, a band that I have loved ever since they played the Chop Shop (RIP) I think two summers ago. Colony’s first of three tracks is called Hourglass. This song hits you right in the face with the quick pounding of drums and fast strumming of guitar. And just as you’re getting up from the first hit, they smash you back down to the ground with a sludgy breakdown that goes from a down-tempo to a heart pounding beat makes you want to bang your head and stomp into the ground.

Secondly we have** Empty Caskets** which for most was the first track we heard off the split (leaked to us by** Colony**). This song starts out with a slow droning guitar, the pounding of drums, and a spew of raspy vocals. A quick transition into a more up-tempo beat brings us into my personal favorite part of the song. “You were nowhere around, When push came to shove.” this speaks to me, I personally get the sense of betrayal and abandonment from a close person (which I think a lot of people can relate to).

Last up is Dead Ends which in my opinion is the best song on the record overall. Combining both fast up-tempo thrashy parts and the down-tempo breaks and chanting vocals we know and love from Colony. Technically, lyrically, and just overall intensity of the song is the perfect ending note for the record. Again I really enjoyed the lyrics on this song as I do in all Colony songs. I honestly cannot think of just one or two lines I like the most when I take a look at this song so I’ll post all of the lyrics following this. Maybe I’m a sucker for “life is shitty” lyrics but if you know me and my disgust you would understand the connection I feel with them. Also who doesn’t love a good jam at the end of an intense song or sing along.

Paid enough for my mistakes
Im leaving this behind
Every unsaid word
That never meant a thing
So much time spent killing myself from the inside out
The say all good things come to an end
I cant seem to find where they ever began
We are all dead ends

So overall concluding thoughts on the record are as followed. I think both of these bands are growing, Divider going for a heavier sound which is awesome, and Colony going for more diverse sound then just a down-tempo hardcore band. I love good vocals and lyrics and these bands “hit the nail on the head”. My only complaint is that I couldn’t hear more, I wish Divider had another couple or songs and maybe just another song like Dead Ends from Colony or maybe a couple quick jammy tunes.

On a scale or 0 to 10, I’d have to give this record a 10 On the bases of no complaints other than length which is sometimes do to studio time and cost.
Listen to the split here: http://dividercolonysplit.bandcamp.com
Buy the record here: http://dividercolonysplit.bigcartel.com/
Divider: http://www.facebook.com/dividerandconquer
Colony: http://www.facebook.com/colonyny

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