Uzeda - Stella

I am sure by this point, those of you that have a deep rooted love in all things post-hardcore and math rock have probably been keen on the new Uzeda record Stella for awhile now. For a few, it might even be one of the larger releases of the year. It also seems to be commonly popping up in “top 10” talk. Although for me it didn’t initially strike me as such, the more that I’ve listened to it the more it has crept its way onto my favorites list.

It’s quite impressive that a band can come together after an eight year hibernation and crank out an album such as Stella. It’s also quite relieving to hear they haven’t abandoned any of the qualities that helped make post-hardcore/math such a wonderful genre to be a fan of throughout the 90’s. Helping to maintain and capture this on record is Steve Albini who has done a masterful job at making sure Stella will beat you senseless. It’s both powerful and crisp. You can practically feel the scathing guitar tone ripping right through your body. Albeit that could be due to the obscene volume at which I routinely find myself playing this. Whether that is the case or not, there is no denying that Uzeda’s forceful and unique barrage of shredded guitar tone is something to be appreciated. The vocals come courtesy of Giovanna Cacciola, whose ability to move from spoken lyrics to climactic howls is put on full display here on Stella. For a band that has been together for around nineteen years, it’s evident by their third album that they have not lost a damn thing over that stretch of time.

Uzeda – This Heat [MP3]
Uzeda – Camillo [MP3]

Stella has been available since August and can be purchased here. If you haven’t heard it yet and consider yourself a fan of post-hardcore or math rock, then you have to hear this album before the end of the year.