Post-hardcore is whatever you need it to be. It contains a wide spectrum of possibilities with bands as diverse as Alexisonfire, The Mars Volta, and Dance Gavin Dance. My favorite flavor has always been anything that combines the rough edge of hardcore with emo’s saccharine heart felt highs backed by overlapping progressive guitar harmonies. Yes, I’m a sucker for swancore. But the only thing I love more than screams and cleans is variety, which is why I was intrigued by the possibilities of a new release from a notably non-swancore post-hardcore band.
Mia Vita Violenta are a math rock and prog influenced post-hardcore band from Paris, France. Originally formed as an indie rock trio in 2012 their sound was initially influenced by the indie, post-rock, and noise bands of the mid 90’s, bands like Shellac, Unwound, and Blonde Redhead. The latter of which they owe their Latin name lifted from their 1995 album La Mia Vita Violenta.
The band has released three EP’s since their formation and gone through a few transformations over the years. Their first big change came following some line-up changes and the release of their most recent EP Grey Seas in 2017. This more or less solidified their current sound with a bit more polish. After a tour across Europe and a lengthy period of composition Mia Vita Violenta entered the studio to record their debut album A Matter of Perception. We are proud to present the album to you in full in advance of its release May 16th on Araki Records.
“Dysfunction” opens up A Matter of Perception with noise laden drums warped by a blast of distortion in a rising rhythm. The guitar that joins in with the percussion quickly gives us a taste of that posty math rock flavor. At first the vocals are a mellow kind of college rock vibe, but then in comes the overlapping back and forth chanting of multiple voices. Oh yeah, that’s the stuff.
A Matter of Perception features three tracks at around nine minutes and Mia Vita Violenta takes full advantage of the scope offered by a longer view. Unafraid to stretch out and take their time they delve outward from post-rock into sludgey noise laden territory and it is glorious. I love to hear this kind of risk taking and experimentation from rock bands. Which also gives dynamic opportunities for live performances where they can really jam out feeding off the energy of the moment.
‘A Matter of Perception could be the story of a mirage, a reality-altering filter that keeps us from seeing things the way they truly are. A frantic, clouded vision transforms every moment into a trap and every path into a dead end. It’s the narrative of a never-ending search for solutions to life’s mysteries, as well as the pursuit of a glimmer of light shining through the smoke.’
“Breath In” / “Fade Out” form a one two punch following up the interlude noise explorations of “Zodiacal Light”. “Breath In” opens up with Tool like catharsis and builds up a heavier edge as it rolls along. The breakdown section toward the end of the track is awesome warping from rock to post-hardcore fury. It’s the perfect lead in to “Fade Out” which opens with a bass drop like a meditative gong hit. The next several minutes deconstruct the energy built up over the previous song with laid back meanderings. The songs are kind of a yin-yang foil reflective in their opposition.
“Detachment City” the final lengthy track of A Matter of Perception capitalizes on the mellow playing field offered by “Fade Out”. Slow and steady at first, perhaps a bit detached, the track rises up to become monolithic. Some of the heaviest moments of the album are found here at the end. But also some of the softest especially the angelic choral chants that haunt the middle of the song. Emblematic of the dual nature of the band pulling from both ambient leaning post-rock indulgences and explosive hardcore aggression.
Cinematic in its climax A Matter of Perception brings forth a rich world of sonic possibilities. With their debut album Mia Vita Violenta brings a lot to the table. Fans of bands as wildly different as Chat Pile, LS Dunes, Eidola, mewithoutYou, and Explosions in the Sky can all find something to vibe with here. You can still preorder the album through Bandcamp, and be sure to follow the band on Facebook.
