Search - Starkweather :: Croatoan

Well worth the wait

J. Guziec | New York | 05/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I waited 10 years for this release...and let me tell you, it was well worth it. I won't bore you with specifics. Songs tend to all be in typical Starkweather fashion, 7 to 8 minutes worth of odd breaks, melodic haunting lyrics and an uncompromised growl that can only be from Rennie. The musicianship is superb, not typical of the genre - is there one to classify them??

My suggestion, give it a full listen - kind of like a film - start to finish - it deserves it."

Influential proto-hardcore

Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 03/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Philedelphia's Starkweather are undoubtedly one of the most influential bands in the hardcore/metal scene. They've been around since 1989 and have helped, along with other gods like Neurosis and Earth, shape an entire genre of bands including Dillinger Escape Plan, who have then branched out and found their own niche. What sets Starkwather apart from every other group out there is their ever-growing will to move foreward and progress, whilst countless bands try (and fail) to emulate their sound.



Croatoan was released exactly ten years after its predecessor, Into the Wire. The album is a signature mix of the band's perfect blend of post-metal, technical death, hardcore, and avant-garde. With such wide-reaching influences, it is not difficult to predict fans of Voivod, (early) Morbid Angel, The Red Chord, Crowbar, and even Neurosis would love this disc. It's a shame that, despite being around for so long, that most listeners out there are unaware of Starkweather, considering their long history. Hopefully Croatoan will put them back on the map, thanks to its varied songwriting, melting gigantic, doomy riffage with bursts of psychotic vocal stylings, and thunderous rhythms. The Eastern-tinged guitars and tribal drumming of "Bitterfrost"; the mournful opening of "Wilding", which switches back and forth between slowed-down riffs and icy acoustic guitars; the blackened shrieks of "Husabye: Goodnight", complete with a good dose of plodding drums and tremelo-picked guitars; and the faster paced, technical monster "Taming Leeches with Fire" attest to the wealth of this album. The vocals range from tortured death metal growls to maniacal screaming and psychotic clean vocals emanating from the depths of hell. The original lineup is still intact, but there are also guest appearances by Dillinger Escape Plan's Liam Wilson on bass and Turmoil's Jim Winters on guitars, both of whom owe a good deal of their current success to listening to Starkweather growing up.



It is pointless to summarise each track on this album, as this album is meant to be taken and enjoyed as a whole. There is plenty of groove-inflected riffery mixed with unexpected flashes of technical genius and the more typical metalcore arrangements here. The production is awesome and mastering was handled by the great Alan Douches, so that should give you an idea too. The artwork, as some avid fans might have guessed, was done by Paul Romano whose work with Mastodon shares certain similarities with it.



Recommended to fans of experimental music with strong post-metal and avant-garde leanings. If you enjoy the works of Isis, Mastodon, Void, Converge, and the aforementioned acts, you need to check Starkweather out. You'll be surprised to discover how much impact they've had on them."

MUST HAVE!!!

B. Breni | Europe | 05/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You know, there is a lot of music outside. There is a lot of good music outside. But there is not a lot of very very good mucis outside. But Croatoan is a diamon amongst all the copy/paste. After 10 year Starkweather released album that can bring a big smile to you face. Sure music at first listening is somewhat strange, hard. I need some listening to get into. But when I got into. Man...

Every thing is like river on it path... Everything change in so natural and good way, that you cant even notice the big different. Vocals are one of the best I had ever heard. Drummer always change rhytm, he have so much ideas. And the guitarists are great too. Of course the bass is gorgeous. That you can say for album. If you dont buy this, you dont support good music, which means there will be more and more copy/paste bands out there.

Cover is fantastic and the lyrics. I had buy many many CDs, but I

didnt see so good lyrics in a very very long time. If i did? Maybe from poet.

This CD is somewhat mix between emotions and evilness, netween peace and devasteting anger.

And if you are maybe wondering, why the previous release are so sold out. You have the answer. Hopefully for you, my dear reader the band will re-release both Into the Wire and Crossbearer.

Why are you reading this, just buy this CD. Even words cant describe such a good band...

Highly recomended!!!!!"