Milemarker - Satanic Versus

After recently releasing two full-lengths in as many years, Milemarker continue to blur that ever thinning line of passion-exuding hardcore and detached neo-electro with a new EP and an accompanying dynamic, boundary defying sound. Satanic Versus splits its emphasis equally between Steve Albini produced full band guitar drones and heavy distortion with the other half delving into electronic experiments that were concocted inside the band’s own Chicago home studio. While Milemarker has steadily decreased their ethical hardcore sound that reeked havoc on their earlier albums, they have exponentially increased their avant-garde experimental nature on every ensuing release. Now relying on sequencers and drum machines as much as guitars and standard vocals [or perhaps more], Satanic Versus begins with “Join Our Party” in an extremely Kraftwerk-esque nature recalling jerky keyboard rhythms and synthetic glitchery that purveys solely an electronic sound. Continuing in a subdued, layered musical attack that drenches itself in distortion and droning guitar, “The Banner of the Sick” and “New Lexicon” fully deviate from their previous realms of hardcore and propel themselves to new, astronomical heights. With extremely warped and passionate vocals gushing beneath the messy body of pulsing electro and zig-zagging textural guitars, Milemarker solidify their blossoming sound as a dark cross between Sonic Youth, Kraftwerk and Curve. As this EP defies every definition Milemarker has previously resurrected, each actual song on Satanic Versus outdoes the previous soundscape. “Lost the Thoughts But Kept the Skin” softly meanders through piano balladry for a handful of minutes before skittering into an explosive, shape-shifting noise drifter that skews and contorts guitars with entrancing melodies, sealing it as the EP’s true masterpiece. There really is no piece of the puzzle out of place, but as Milemarker continue to merge their saturated guitar drones closer to the cold, electronic-based synth work that superbly laces Satanic Versus, their material will do nothing but further ascend towards greatness. Despite only being an EP, Milemarker exercise their always burgeoning palette of traditional and subversive music to speak volumes more than the vast majority of full-lengths. One monstrously epic step forward for this four-some. [www.jadetree.com]