SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CAPSTAN – THE MOSAIC

CAPSTAN
THE MOSAIC
FEARLESS RECORDS

Bands like Capstan have always looked outside their genre. Each small social and personal detail, as well as genres, reveals more of a bigger picture to them. All of these ideas intertwine to form their new album, The Mosaic. Since the release of their last album, Separate, the Florida quartet has faced numerous obstacles. Capstan’s album carried listeners through its own twists and turns of darkness, but via their unique usage of cathodic elements, they were able to discover and guide many to the light. Such a heavy record would not only transform the sound of such a vital force in the hardcore scene but would set the groundwork for The Mosaic. The energy shift that not only represents the growth and maturity of the band, but the depth and the acceptance of moving on from such a difficult past.

The Mosaic opens with the opening tracks, “Revolve” and “Misery Scene.” Capstan begins with stripped-down, ethereal, and vulnerable tracks with a progressive edge, demonstrating a sense of growth by detailing a blend of melodic catchiness sewn together with post-hardcore aggressive elements and progressive metal inventiveness, which they continue to shape and morph with each experience on the album. Capstan has ventured into uncharted ground with this album, which seems both familiar and gloriously fresh at moments, but never stale or out of place, which is great news for such a powerful record.

“Final Words” and “Undertow” take a more aggressive approach, but one that seems more in line with Capstan’s standards, combining metallic flawlessness, gorgeous pit-splitting hardcore grooves, and fascinating hooks that stick with the listener long after the tracks are finished. While Capstan takes a few calculated chances throughout the album, these risks benefit the band, resulting in some of the most agitated moments on the record.

Songs like “An Open Letter” are more tender, sentimental, and denuded, before jumping into more impassioned junctures like “Bloom.” Celestially augmented with piano and other airy atmospherics, Capstan paints another side of itself that is greatly welcomed while also showing another technical side to the band not heard on The Mosaic.

“Empire” puts the album’s energies back into its fiery backdrop with furious instrumental energies, creative use of piano and progressive guitar riffs, showcasing Capstan’s dissonant use of contentious elements. Other breathtaking moments that truly stand out on The Mosaic that dive into more attractive 80s pop territory is “What You Want.” Harmoniously blending electronic and sax elements, “What You Want” reinvigorates the album with a sense of clever musical ingenuity to keep the listeners invested for the rest of the album.

“Compendium” returns to greater symphonic heights of beauty via musical interludes before transitioning into the pulsating dark horse tune “Bête Noire.”  Allowing the listener to transcend into a mystifying world of multiple genres in one experience, Capstan creates one of The Mosaic’s most disruptive and mutative experiences in one encounter.

The album concludes with the last track, “The Mosaic.” A 10-min masterpiece that sculpts the very best of Capstan’s purest instrumental intensity to the most sorrowful, sincere, and baroscopic, the band has manifested one of the most meaningful parting presents to its fans and closes on a remarkable note.

The Mosaic is more than simply an album that demonstrates Capstan’s craftiness and inventiveness in incorporating multi-genre ethereal touches into their sound; it also demonstrates that it’s okay to go beyond simplicity for a bigger, more engaging atmosphere. Sometimes in music, you have to take chances; for The Mosaic, the risk was worth it.

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