Light Pupil Dilate
Snake Wine

THE REVIEW

The fact that a band like Mastodon has managed to achieve well-deserved recognition from critics and the public, as well as securing a major contract (which is not significant in itself, but indicative of how a certain market niche has been "affected") is important.

Important because it can serve as an impetus and drive for the free expression of creativity for those bands that, having the ability, seek to propose a sound that challenges itself when implemented and not just as a convenient array of sonic and creative certainties, which then translate into the already heard, the beautiful but repetitive, or the anonymous. By doing so, it is clear that they take greater risks than their replicating peers, and it must be anticipated that not everything might go smoothly at first, but it shows possessing important qualities (for those who decide to make music to express their artistic flair), such as creativity, determination, and intelligence.

What has been said can be applied to Light Pupil Dilate, a trio from Atlanta, Georgia, who, after debuting five years ago with a self-produced work ("Cascades"), presents themselves to us through nine tracks that provide no points of reference for those wishing to explore their sound. Obviously, the name mentioned at the beginning, that is Mastodon, must be repeated, but here the expressive vehemence is lesser, as it is replaced by a multilayered reading of the score, where metal, math rock (Don Caballero are not so far away), progressive evolutions (not so much in the classically intended prog rock sense, but in the willingness to avoid stagnant parts and aiming at a constant search for "forward-thinking" textures), post-hardcore, noise rock not cruel, and various elements blend seamlessly, contributing to make the sound catchy, yet always intense, dynamic, varied, and full of solid expressive groove.

Recommended.