The story goes that despite Jonny Craig being a renowned God of vocals, untouchable within the scene and delivering heart tingling performances night after night, something just didn't sit well with the band. This then lead to Craig's removal from the line up, to be quickly replaced with Kurt Travis, giving Craig the opportunity to become the face of then hardcore band Emraosa.
With several line up changes and two albums released since Jonny Craig's involvement with the band, it would seem the whole mentality of the group has progressed. All members have worked with several other projects, Isles and Glaciers, Gatsby's American Dream and solo albums, perhaps giving them the experience needed to be able to join forces once again.
It came as no real surprise that the title of the forthcoming album would be 'Downtown Battle Mountain II', an obvious follow on from Jonny Craig's last offering with Dance Gavin Dance 'Downtown Battle Mountain'. In many ways it symbolizes the fact that the band are not looking to burst back into the scene with a hugely far out experimental album; but rather are looking to simply carry on where they left off.
This is demonstrated within the first release from the heavily anticipated album, 'Heat seeking Ghost Of Sex', the title itself can be recognized as a classic lengthy, inside joke fueled song title that he band are known for.
The song erupts with the sound of Will Swan's gravel enthused screams ready to let us know they are returning to their original post hardcore mob status. The guitar riffs again are in clear Dance Gavin Dance style, jerky and intricate, almost dripping with musicianship and flitting from quietly masterful to raucous and intense.
And then comes the voice everyone is waiting for, Jonny Craig's soul soaked vocals, melt into the guitars and flow through the song forcing every hair on your body to stand up and be counted. The post hardcore mix is a tried and tested formula, but the band manage to give the track unexpected elements, with a breakdown and guitar solo that subtly mesmerizes and a flurry of biting musical overloads that spill out the alternative hardcore sound Dance Gavin Dance perform so well.
With chants and screams coming together in unison towards the closing of the track, the passion and intensity that first gleamed through within 'Downtown Battle Mountain' is luminous again in the band's newest recording, the zealous sound fills until it reaches it's short and stabby ending, leaving the listener needing more than a first listen.
'Heat seeking Ghost of Sex' is a classic Dance Gavin Dance formula, the celebration of the short return of Jonny Craig to the band makes it feel all the more special, yet it seems doubtful whether the band could have made this song ooze such impact and occasion without the return of the infamous original vocalist.
Downtown Battle Mountain II, simply put... just became a necessity.
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