Converse Rubber Tracks x MetalSucks 2015 Preview: Sydbarret
Later this month, ten unsigned bands will visit a Converse Rubber Tracks facility in either Brooklyn, NY, or Boston, MA, where they’ll lay down some jams at one of Converse’s completely free, state-of-the-art recording studios. And as if that wasn’t cool enough, bands at the Brooklyn Converse Rubber Tracks will work with producer Will Putney (The Acacia Strain, Suicide Silence, Exhumed), while bands at the Boston Converse Rubber Tracks will work with producer Kurt Ballou (Converge, High on Fire, Torche).
MetalSucks held an open application process in July for bands to apply, then Axl and Vince worked with Will and Kurt to choose their five favorite bands for each city. We’ll be previewing each of the selected bands in the weeks leading up to these recording sessions, so you can get a taste of what’s in store for ya! You can check out all the previews so far here. Today, we feature Sydbarret from New Brunswick, Stinky New Jersey.
What’s left to do in the crowded post-hardcore space that hasn’t been done before in the genre’s nearly 30 years of existence? A whole lot, it turns out, if Sydbarret are any indication.
Part of that could be that Sydbarret don’t stick to tried and true post-hardcore tropes. Theirs is a brand that’s a whole lot more proggy than what you’d expect; the band is incredibly adept at playing in odd meters, composing lightning fast turnarounds that don’t seem awkward, and they’re masters of varying dynamic for full dramatic effect. Think East of the Wall, or even early BTBAM and you’ll be close.
Compare the intensity of “Thank You For Your Time” — more straight-forward post-hardcore, and one of the heaviest moments in music I’ve heard in weeks at 1:20 — with the expansive arrangement and Iron Maiden-like gallop of “The Swimmer” from their 2011 album of the same name and you’ll hear just what I mean.
We’re looking forward to hearing what these guys have come up with in the four years since The Swimmer‘s release. We’re sure Mr. Putney will do them justice.
