Taint The Ruin of Nova Roma
Candlelight Records CDL0297 March 7th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
From the same label that recently brought you Grand Maguss Wolfs Return, Witchcrafts Firewood, and Capricornss Ruder Forms Survive comes Taints equally stunning The Ruin of Nová Roma. Candlelight Records obtained U.S. distribution, however, and Im so glad I ran across this album because it delivers the goods more efficiently than U.P.S. and FedEx combined. A tantalizing blend of subgenres, buttressed by exceptional songwriting, sends Taint soaring over the competition, leaving me to inform you that this is one of the finest debuts well see this year. At the least, its an hour well spent.
Pinpointing all the influences and styles on The Ruin of Nová Roma isnt the most fun thing to do, but Id say this has a post-rock/post-hardcore feel to it (think Neurosis, Pelican, Knut, et al), though theres an almost-tangible likeness to modern forward-thinkers such as Burst and Mastodon. Really, in all honesty, the comparisons unwind piecemeal. Still, its not as if Taint are plagiarizing. While there are hints of other bands within these 10 glorious tracks, this trio manages to emit uniqueness consequently, freshness at every bend in the road. I think Id be doing a disservice by mentioning which groups appear where, but on the other hand, it would lend them credibility like nothing else. So bask in the driving Capricorns-esque rhythms during the opening of The Sound-Out Competition, which has a few quirky Mastodon-ish guitar licks in place for extra oomph. Perhaps the Pelican-isms on The Ruin of Nová Roma will satiate you, along with the retro riffage found in Im Going to Kill Henry Ford. Or maybe youd prefer Taint to sideswipe you with an awesome, awesome riffing pattern, and rather than cut it abruptly like many outfits do too often, actually hammer it in through sweet, sweet repetition. The last minutes of The Idol/The Memory come to mind. Listening to any of these songs out of context wont spoil this package, but frankly this record should be gulped down whole.
Though The Ruin of Nová Roma is not comparison-free, I believe Taint crafted something of extreme value here, a release that builds off predecessors work yet forwards it at the same time. However, I also think this wont be crowned best album of 2006 barring an upset of course since there are so many veterans out there lusting for that prize. Plus it was released in the U.K. last year, so theres another strike for some of you anal-retentive types out there. Nevertheless, if any artists in this review tickle your fancy, I advise procuring this immediately as it is not only enjoyable, but quite impressive in its own right. Looks like the 12 years of practice paid off guys!
8.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Taint Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
Candlelight Records CDL0297 March 7th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
From the same label that recently brought you Grand Maguss Wolfs Return, Witchcrafts Firewood, and Capricornss Ruder Forms Survive comes Taints equally stunning The Ruin of Nová Roma. Candlelight Records obtained U.S. distribution, however, and Im so glad I ran across this album because it delivers the goods more efficiently than U.P.S. and FedEx combined. A tantalizing blend of subgenres, buttressed by exceptional songwriting, sends Taint soaring over the competition, leaving me to inform you that this is one of the finest debuts well see this year. At the least, its an hour well spent.
Pinpointing all the influences and styles on The Ruin of Nová Roma isnt the most fun thing to do, but Id say this has a post-rock/post-hardcore feel to it (think Neurosis, Pelican, Knut, et al), though theres an almost-tangible likeness to modern forward-thinkers such as Burst and Mastodon. Really, in all honesty, the comparisons unwind piecemeal. Still, its not as if Taint are plagiarizing. While there are hints of other bands within these 10 glorious tracks, this trio manages to emit uniqueness consequently, freshness at every bend in the road. I think Id be doing a disservice by mentioning which groups appear where, but on the other hand, it would lend them credibility like nothing else. So bask in the driving Capricorns-esque rhythms during the opening of The Sound-Out Competition, which has a few quirky Mastodon-ish guitar licks in place for extra oomph. Perhaps the Pelican-isms on The Ruin of Nová Roma will satiate you, along with the retro riffage found in Im Going to Kill Henry Ford. Or maybe youd prefer Taint to sideswipe you with an awesome, awesome riffing pattern, and rather than cut it abruptly like many outfits do too often, actually hammer it in through sweet, sweet repetition. The last minutes of The Idol/The Memory come to mind. Listening to any of these songs out of context wont spoil this package, but frankly this record should be gulped down whole.
Though The Ruin of Nová Roma is not comparison-free, I believe Taint crafted something of extreme value here, a release that builds off predecessors work yet forwards it at the same time. However, I also think this wont be crowned best album of 2006 barring an upset of course since there are so many veterans out there lusting for that prize. Plus it was released in the U.K. last year, so theres another strike for some of you anal-retentive types out there. Nevertheless, if any artists in this review tickle your fancy, I advise procuring this immediately as it is not only enjoyable, but quite impressive in its own right. Looks like the 12 years of practice paid off guys!
8.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Taint Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
