Exclusive Track Premiere: NY in 64, “A Towering Relic”

I was only previously familiar with one half of NY in 64 before being introduced to their music earlier this week: guitarist Chris Alfano and drummer Seth Rheam, who you probably know from their work in seminal New Jersey progressive metal outfit and perennial MetalSucks favorites East of the Wall. But hearing this band’s music makes me wonder why Justin Hock and Thomas Schlatter, previously of You and I, took a fifteen year hiatus from writing music together: they clear have a very special chemistry.

Since East of the Wall are my main touchstone here, I hear plenty of East of the Wall-isms going on — fat, chunky bass, deep pocket grooves, atmospheric guitars and complex arrangements — but I hear something else too. The band’s official bio describes You and I as “’90s screamo,” which I suppose is fair, but without any vocals in NY IN 64 that comparison doesn’t seem apt. You know what it kind of reminds me of? The Postman Syndrome — Alfano’s old band — sans vocals. It’s heavy, but it’s also emotional. It’s overtly complex, but it’s soundly structured. In short: it’s really fucking good.

Stream “A Towering Relic” below. The self-titled debut comes out April 7 digitally and on CD.