Metal Blade Records/Blacklight Media
Release: 10/6/2023
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a kind of renaissance in hardcore. We’re seeing inclusion, exposure (Knocked Loose at Coachella? Really?), and genre-bending unlike any other period in the vibrant, dramatic, if somewhat spotted forty-year history of punk’s most extreme subcategory. While hordes of bands, new and old, clamor for our collective streaming and circle-pitting attention, an absolute staple of the current wave of hardcore- a band that no fan, keen or casual can afford to overlook is Capra.
Now, we here at IUF have been singing the praises of the Lafayette, Louisiana quartet for some time now, ever since Sonny Reza accidentally played 2021’s In Transmission for me just ahead of its release and I instantly fell in love with it. By the way – and I mean this – go right now and listen to that absolute gem of a record if you haven’t yet. Having said that, Errors excels in a number of departments, first and foremost of which is reminding fans why we love this band so much in the first place.
There are minimal lineup changes since In Transmission, but the four-piece configuration of the band feels even more committed to with Errors than before. Each member’s distinct personality pierces through every track on the record, which is one of the primary components that makes Errors such a crucial record in the current hardcore climate.
Guitarist Tyler Harper is a riff god, by the way. Tonally and sonically, one can only make a guitar sound so heavy, and we’ve really pushed the limits over the last ten years or so. Even with the magic of modern music production, guitarists are having to challenge themselves to achieve heaviness out of actual music rather than gain knobs and pedals. Tyler’s riffs on Errors are so full of angst and aggression that I think they would crush us all if the guitar wasn’t plugged in.
This kind of aggression, fresh yet familiar, was my main takeaway from Errors. It’s not a departure from In Transmission, as much as an extension. I loved In Transmission because of its reminiscence of being connected to a local hardcore scene and feeling that sense of tribal belonging. Errors dives deeper into those types of emotions, but also extends into the ones that made you feel the need for a hardcore scene in the first place. The anger, the frustration, the longing – but also the catharsis. Errors captures so many of both the beautiful and repulsive moments that shaped our youth, and carries them into a musical space that we can mature with.
When listening to Errors, you will hear more grit and more humanity than you’ve heard from Capra before. The band is obviously very technically sound and the music is very well-thought out, but those attributes are not shoved down our throats through overproduction or unnecessary layers of polish. What comes through is something undeniably aggressive, passionate, and most of all, honest.
Also, having been a drummer for longer than I care to mention, I couldn’t possibly give my thoughts on this record without drawing lots of attention to drummer Jeremy Randazzo’s remarkable performances. Equal parts skill, creativity, and intensity, Randazzo is poised to be the next household name in heavy music drumming. His work on this album tells a story, and it’s not like anything else we are hearing. It wouldn’t be fair, however, to leave out bassist Trevor Alleman in his recording debut with Capra, who adds layer and dimension to both Harper’s punishing riffs and Randazzo’s captivating rhythms.
Vocalist Crow Lotus is demonstrating perceivable growth and progression as an artist. While you might not note any serious changes in her voice, you can hear more urgency and power in her mighty roars and in how she chooses to phrase them. You can sense some development in technique, as well as a more mature sense of musicality is her vocals on Errors, which rounds out the sound of the record in a way that separates Capra from the pack.
Capra has a lot of fun with musical texture on Errors as well, which really make it a very easy listen. Throughout the duration of its ten tracks, you’ll hear inspiring gang vocals, exciting time and tempo play, and even a delightful guest vocal appearance from Candace Kucsulain of Walls of Jericho. What you will not find, however, are a lot of the tropes and trends of modern hardcore music, and I think many fans will be thankful for that.
It’s really exciting to be here for the hardcore renaissance. It never crossed my mind that a time like this would come, but it did anyway. The only problem is the sheer number of bands – so many more than most of us could ever get around to giving the attention they probably deserve. With Errors, Capra makes themselves indispensable during a time of already important bands and albums. By way of its irreproachable ferocity and frankness, Errors is an album that rises to an insurmountable occasion, and is as special as the time it appeared.
Our Score 9/10
– Reach James, the author of this review, at jamesunderfire@gmail.com.
Tracklist
- CHSF
- Tied Up
- Silana
- Trauma Bond
- Loser
- Kingslayer
- Human Commodity
- Transplant
- Obligatory Existence
- Nora