Ampere
Like Shadows

A brief feedback from the guitar introduces us to (We're) Stranded and invites us to take a deep breath, because this record (the diminutive does not imply any kind of denigration towards the album in question, but rather refers to the duration) must be listened to in one breath. Or in other words, it must be consumed all in one go.

When I am about to make absolute statements like "the most intense record of the year", I immediately reconsider and tell myself that perhaps I haven't listened to enough extreme music in 2011, that somewhere there surely is stuff even more intense, chaotic, and raw than this "Like Shadows". And if we consider the emotional impact, for example, an album like "Wildlife" by "La Dispute" stands on a higher level (in my humble opinion) compared to this "Like Shadows". But in reality, the two albums shouldn't even be compared because "Wildlife", unlike "Like Shadows", offers the listener a post-hardcore that, although direct and pressing, turns out to be quite softened and polished.

Then I pick up the Ampere CD, put it in the player and... damn yes, I am convinced: it is definitely the most intense record of the year. I have no more doubts about it. 

Of course, at first, the listener (not among the band's aficionados) might feel sonorously fooled, and the feeling would be entirely legitimate: these Ampere, active since 2002, with only EPs and various splits behind them, release their first album and... it lasts only 13 minutes?

But I can assure you that this unpleasant sensation is immediately swept away by the suffocating sound wall that the band takes care to build after those few seconds of feedback present in "(We're) Stranded".

What do Ampere play? Old-school screamo that joyfully drills the ears, shapes the nerves and then traverses them like a high-speed train. It's incredible how these guys are able to condense such a whirlwind of emotions in an embarrassingly short duration. You could go from wild and convulsive headbanging to tears in no time or... simply come out with a terrible headache. In any case, they would have hit the mark.

The only flaw of this record (a flaw that could be attributed to the whole genre) is that upon first, distracted listen you might get the impression of listening to more or less the same song for all thirteen minutes of duration. Only those who will want to immerse themselves once more in this emotional turmoil will be able to grasp the numerous nuances of the songwriting and the technical skills of the individual members. One thing is certain: "Like Shadows" is an album steeped in sweat, anger, and passion and perhaps requires the same to be appreciated.

Very few but remarkable are the more relaxed moments where the listener can absorb the previous blows and prepare for a blazing restart. The songs that stand out more (clearly) are those over 40 seconds, and above all, the final track "Tiny Victories" which constitutes a summary of the album and the band's sound. An honorable mention also goes to the screamer who engages and never bores.

The faint of heart and all those who cannot stand extreme and violent music should abstain. The listening is instead mandatory for all fans of the genre and the band, although many say around that Ampere is light years away from the glory of Orchid (authors of "Chaos Is Me", a milestone of screamo).

I, as a layman, however, consider it slightly inferior to the legendary "Chaos Is Me" and absolutely deserving of at least one listen.

In my skin.