At the Drive-In
In•ter a•li•a

Seventeen years ago, their masterpiece "Relationship On Command" left an indelible mark on the post-hardcore scene. It was the third album for At The Drive-In, and everything seemed set for a bright and fulfilling career.

Then came the sensational breakup, new projects (Jim Ward's Sparta and the more popular Mars Volta of the duo Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala), a brief reunion in 2011 for some live dates, and finally a definitive reunion two years ago. Finally, the announcement of new material was dampened by the news of the departure of the essential guitarist Jim Ward, replaced by former Sparta member Keely Davis.

Baptized "In•ter a•li•a," the new work from the reborn band from El Paso presents itself as a natural continuation of the discourse interrupted seventeen years ago. And perhaps this is precisely the problem (in addition to the inevitable burden of expectations from the public and professionals): it probably wasn't possible to do better.

"In•ter a•li•a" is undoubtedly a good album, even if it's not at the level of its illustrious predecessor. Right from the furious opener "No Wolf Like The Present," At The Drive-In make it clear that they have not lost an ounce of their energy. The RATM-like fascinations of "Continuum" are interesting (undoubtedly one of the best things on the album), the single "Governed By Contagion" is somewhat less effective and vaguely chaotic, but still enjoyable. "Tilting At The Univendor" ups the ante with its bursts between emocore and funk.

In any case, Cedric Bixler-Zavala's voice reflects the experience accumulated with the Mars Volta, and the tracks seem to follow his new way of singing, more varied and cleaner compared to earlier works. The aforementioned Davis delivers a strong performance on guitar, adding a lot of his own, especially in the hardcore "Haltzclaw" and "Call Broken Arrow."

The "quiet" (euphemism) oasis appears in the post-punk "Ghost-Tape No. 9," and it's the only one, as the work speeds along without sparing razor-sharp cuts, well-directed by the rhythm section composed of Tony Hajjar and Paul Hinojos.

At The Drive-In return with a good piece of work, which has the merit of not wanting to be a new "Relationship On Command" and reintroduces the band in a great state of form. Awaiting their next moves with great curiosity.

Best track: Ghost-Tape No. 9