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THE REVIEW
...this is forever...
Legend has it that at the dawn of their career, At the Drive-In played in Los Angeles in front of 9 (yes, you read that correctly, NINE) people; and it was at this deserted concert that they were noticed by someone in the audience who was shaken and dazzled by the expressive fury showcased by the boys from El Paso, Texas. They were then signed by "Flipside," which released the raw debut Acrobatic Tenement.
Another grueling tour to make a name for themselves on their homeland, then comes the classic turning point: bassist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez moves to guitar, and the band takes off. Thus, comes In/Casino/Out which definitively puts them in the spotlight; a vivid and explosive light of substantial consistency.
Their musical mix draws inspiration from Fugazi, Refused. Recorded in very few hours, in total direct take; produced by Alex Newport (I hope someone remembers his Fudge Tunnel). Eleven tracks for barely 40 minutes. Punk rage, Hardcore school armed assaults; politicized lyrics, with a melancholy undertone of Emo taste.
Killer breaks with no end, vehement restarts; led by the shouted and torn voice of Cedric Bixler-Zavala. But it's Omar's guitar that stands out, becoming a confident protagonist throughout the tumultuous flow of the sound mix enacted by the guys.
It starts with the lashes of Alpha Centauri and the equally furious Chanbara. They slow the pace with the emotional ups and downs of the masterpiece Napoleon Solo (the track that best identifies them in this album, in my opinion). They start again at full speed with the very brief Pickpocket; they lay siege to the recording studio with the "Fugazian" dynamism of A Devil Among the Tailors (which seems to come from the same recordings as Red Medicine by Guy Picciotto and friends!!). Finally, they reach the melodic cameo of the poignant Hourglass where the physicality of the instruments is set aside, put in a corner, and they indulge in moments of unexpected sweetness.
...this is forever...
Diabolos Rising 666
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Summary by Bot
This review praises At the Drive-In's album In/Casino/Out as a defining moment in punk rock history. It highlights the band's explosive energy, the shift in lineup that sparked their success, and the raw, emotional power led by Cedric Bixler-Zavala's vocals and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez's guitar. The album's fusion of hardcore rage and melodic moments is celebrated, citing standout tracks like Napoleon Solo and A Devil Among the Tailors. Overall, the album is described as a timeless classic with lasting impact.Tracklist Lyrics
At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In are an American post-hardcore band from El Paso, Texas, widely associated with the late-1990s/early-2000s post-hardcore boom. They released Relationship of Command (2000), broke up in 2001, later reunited, and released In•ter a•li•a (2017).12 Reviews
