‘…MAARLA’s extensive musical experience is palpable as they offer one ferocious post-hardcore anthem after another…’
Based out of Nantes, France, post-hardcore outfit MAARLA announced their existence all the way back in April, and found their way to the stage in August, supporting despiteeverythingitsstillyou. This month sees this collective of experienced musicians unleashing their debut three-track EP, ‘Les chant des ruines’ (‘The song of the ruins’) and establishing themselves as a refreshingly brilliant new addition to the expansive French screamo scene.
‘Cœur d’hiver’ leaps forth with visceral ferocity atop of a melancholic, waltzing rhythm. It feels cataclysmic to behold, abrasive guitars gouging out riffs beneath ceaseless, pained screams that ascend any language barrier. The rhythmic switch-up in the back half is magnificently executed, building the track towards a remarkable and cathartic climax.
The sense of scale continues to grow with ‘Les silence des ombres’, as it builds from a muffled quiet towards towering walls of intricate guitar work and distant screams. Claustrophobia is balanced immaculately with expansiveness, searing, drawn-out riffs anchored by moments of sharp, confrontational aggression.
The EP reaches a peak with the closing cut, ‘Amour vorace’, as MAARLA toy with ideas from emo. Semi-spoken word passages flirt with distant melody, before returning to anthemic screams that soar atop of punchy, energetic riffs. A crushing breakdown in the band’s midsection spirals forth towards a beautifully aggressive final chorus, MAARLA never letting up the momentum as they bare down upon the listener with unrepentant ferocity.
Despite only being three tracks in length, ‘Les chant des ruines’ leaves a remarkable, intense impression. MAARLA’s extensive musical experience is palpable as they offer one ferocious post-hardcore anthem after another, and one can only imaginable what this band will be capable of given even more time for their chemistry to brew. Language is no barrier when the music is this good.
RATING: 83/100
For Fans Of: Chalk Hands, Birds in Row, CROOKS UK, La Dispute,
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