Customer Reviews

300 Percent Density

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I think the highest compliment I can pay to Candiria is that they take hardcore, extreme metal, jazz, hip-hop, and progressive rock sounds, throw them all together, and make it sound completely natural. Candiria have an originality and eclecticism that never comes across as forced or pretentious. They're just thoroughly committed to exploring the stylistic and technical possibilities of heavy music, and I for one think they're exactly the band to do it. "300 Percent Density" is the latest, and arguably greatest, example of Candiria's almost unparalleled songwriting and musicianship. Candiria have a knack for composing songs that have creative and irregular time signatures, but are still highly listenable. Their riffing and drumming may well be the heaviest this side of death metal, and the precision of the attack is mind-blowing. This isn't just a band out to steamroll the listener with their heaviness; Candiria manage to create some very complex and interesting song structures that put virtually every band on the radio to shame. Vocalist Carley Coma, apparently in an effort to push the human voice as far as it will go, spits out his growled vocals with a flow that most rappers would envy (or at least they should). The band does also do a couple of rap songs on this album, but even for a non-rap fan like me they have some appeal. Candiria's rap songs bear somewhat of a resemblance to those of A Tribe Called Quest, whose sense of musicality made them one of the few rap acts I could listen to, and they provide a nice break from all the heaviness. I really have to wonder about the people giving this album negative reviews. I understand and respect the opinions of others, but I think with a little close listening the greatness and uniqueness of Candiria becomes apparent pretty quickly. I find "300 Percent Density" to be an album of the highest quality, and I highly recommend it.

I'm appalled to see the amount of one star ratings for this album which brings down the avg. customer rating down (Though I suspect it's all by the same person for the 12/10/01 reviews...It's probably even the same guy who's giving all those negative reviews for God Forbid's "Determination" also!). This new album by Candiria, one of the most creative bands today, is nothing short of spectacular. They're still doing what they've been doing, certainly not anything groundbreaking, but definitely not any worst. They're still combining the hardcore/metal riffs and screams, with the unsuspecting jazz interludes, and even some rap thrown in for good measure, except in "300% density", they've got better production; everything sounds crisp, and harsher than before. Some of the best songs ever created by Candiria are on here, like the opening title track, and "Constant Velocity Is As Natural As Being At Rest", opening with a jazz instrumental before shredding you with their trademark riffs and Coma's harsh screams, and then going back again to the jazz part.

Sure, the mixing of genres has been done before, but never by a hardcore band; Zorn, Bungle, Boredoms (and even by much earlier groups) etc. have been mixing genres for years, but they were never true hardcore bands. Seems like it comes down to between the people who are still the fans, loving the stuff the most creative hardcore band today is putting out and glad they're getting more press, and the elitists who feel that when a band is slightly changing their sound, or have been featured in Rolling Stone (the best new band ever featured in that wretched magazine) and coming out soon with, gasp!, a music video, they're selling out, and desert them looking for the next big "secret." The secret is out, Candiria is THE band to change the way an unsuspecting public listens to radio. The defense rests.

CANDIRIA - 300 % Density
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Some people just don't get... which is truly sad. The second someone blends Hip-Hop with Hardcore everyone cries "Nu-Metal" I can assure this is nothing of the sort. First things first they bring sincerity back to hip-hop which is lacking in the music industry. This is not the Bling-Ho Rap of 50 Cent, this is Hip-Hop in its truest form. On top of Blending, Hardcore, Metal and Hip-Hop they fuse it all together with free-style Jazz. Musically these cats have no shortage of talent. The guitar work is great and the Bass and Drum work is astonishing to say the least. Carley's vocals are fantastic, whether it be his scream, yell or his smooth flowing raps.
As creative and unique of an album as it is, it seems at times to lack cohesiveness... Some of the shifts are a bit jagged in their transitions, other than that it is a very solid release. Easily worth more than a few listens.
Favorite Songs: Constant Velocity is as Natural as Being at Rest, Channeling Elements and Without Water.
4.25 Stars.

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Generally my tastes in hardcore lean towards the faster(grind) end of the speed spectrum so it took me a bit to understand the groove Candiria choose to play in. It really took me a few listens of the entire album to adjust to their brand of hardcore. Once you see where they are coming from however, your patience will be greatly rewarded. Candiria definitely have their own little niche in the genre, because besides straight-up hardcore, they throw in pure, unappologetic hip hop and a dash of jazz. This can't be stressed enough. On this cd there is no "blending" of styles in my opinion. They take you from hardcore to PURE (not rapcore) hip-hop and rap from song to song with no transition. This is no reason to be scared off. The rap is GOOD rap, it just takes some time to adjust your brain to what it's hearing from song to song so that you can really listen to each track individualy without having a bitter hardcore aftertaste when the beats and rhymes land on your plate.

Be patient with this one, it'll be worth it.

New York based Candiria has bestowed upon us yet another musical masterpiece! 300% Density starts off with the brutal title track that will make your eardrums bleed with pleasure. Hard, groove oriented guitars, coupled with Kenneth Schalk's aggressive drumming makes for a great opening track. Their energy continues without a pause into the second track, Signs of Discontent, that will have all you metalheads pining for a moshpit.

Candiria shows off their wide range of musical abilities in all of their tracks, but their skills are fully evident in "Without Water", which starts off with a downtempo beat layed over nice MCing. The track then proceeds to smash your skull in as it turns into a faster paced hardcore track layed over lead singer Carley Coma's sing/scream-ing, which is remniscient of FF's Burton Bell.

My favorite track on the album, "Words from the Lexicon", proves that it truly is impossible to categorize Candiria into one musical genre. This track incorporates the elements of rap and metal better than any (c)rap metal hybrid band today. The track sounds NOTHING like these other rap/metal hybrids.

Track five incorporates elements of metal and jazz...yes, jazz...and it is done well. Candiria tends to do this throughout their album. It is absoultely amazing the wide range of abilities that the members of this band possess and put to great use for our listening pleasure. Candiria provides us with a sound that is completely unique. I have heard no other band that sounds anything like them, most likely because there are no other bands out there that are as versed in so many different musical styles as Candiria is.

The final track of this album, "Opposing Meter", introduces yet another musical style to the eclectic mix that makes up this album. Candiria manage to give us a track that combines their hardcore style with electronic beats that electronic greats such as Aphex Twin and Amon Tobin would be proud of.

If you are a fan of many different styles of music, and want to hear something that is daringly innovative, uniquely fresh...give Candiria a listen. Pick up this album without hesitation, and soon YOU will be writing your own review of this musical masterpiece. Enjoy.

Candiria, a Brooklyn, NY band that (un)fortunately nobody has heard of, proves yet again that they are one of the most original and unique bands in the world of progressive rock. Yes, I say progressive; many simply classify them as hardcore, others metal; yet it is proved within 300 PERCENT DENSITY that they are far more than either. Take a lot of heavy hardcore metal, put it in a blender with some (good) rap, add some jazz, and maybe a sprinkle of industrialized effects, and you get something like Candiria. They seamlessly weave through all the aforementioned genres, creating a whole new experience of music that, while not everyone's idea of a good time, is definitely worth a listen if for only their superb progression from simple anger-oriented growls over loud guitars.

The band: Carley Coma - vocalizations; John Lamacchia and Eric Matthews on guitars, Michael MacIvor on bass, and Kenneth Schalk, my new drum GOD, behind the set. Carley Coma's vocals range from loud, howling, almost death-metal quality shrieks and barks to spoken word and (very well-performed) rap; his lyrics, while well-written, are somewhat cryptic; I'll have to examine them carefully sometime...worth noting, however, is that instead of usual song structures like verse-chorus-verse, etc., we have "chapters" in most of the songs, often with strange instrumental interludes between them. The guitars are generally a series of power-chord riffs, but every so often can be heard the noodling of a solo or two; the intro to "Contents Under Pressure," featuring clean guitars with the strings being strummed, are simply perfect. The bass is deep and heavy, and Michael's talent is best displayed also in "Contents Under Pressure," right after the brief trumpet/clean guitar part of the intro-a great, though brief, bass solo. And then the drums...oh my GOD. So chaotic, so loud, so fast, with plenty of jazz influences, and-UGH! Just LISTEN to any of the heavier songs and you will immediately know how I feel!

Standout tracks...well, ALL of the tracks are standouts, but if I had to pick any favorites, I would have to include the following: "The Obvious Destination", which starts off with chugging guitars and Carley's shrieks and barks, but then in the middle of the song, suddenly a keyboard (or SOMEthing) starts making a light, almost steel-drum sounding round of percussions that is just plain hilarious to listen to. "Words from the Lexicon" feature guest vocalists "Chief," "Kid Gambino," "Advocate," and "Diz," and the whole song is practically a rap song (except, for once, with REAL music keeping the rhythm and beat), with some memorable lines (like "If p---- was a cigarette, I'd have crazy cancer," need I say more?). "Constant Velocity is as Natural as Being at Rest" starts off sounding like a jazz song, complete with trumpets and all, but quickly turns heavy, then soaks up some more jazz between "chapters"...superb! Finally, there are the last two tracks, "Opposing Meter" and the hidden track (which comes on at 8:42 and plays until 21:24!), featuring almost nothing but industrialized tones and sounds, maybe some samples of people talking or of the sounds of locations (water dripping with a slight echo...an alley, maybe?). The hidden track is kind of repetitive, but haunting in its overall mood. Finally, "Without Water" is another great piece, starting off as a rap song, but in the latter half,

Progressive rock fans, this is a band to check out. Candiria is quickly becoming one of my favorite bands, and I hope to spread their surrealistic madness. Indeed, I am one of the C.O.M.A. (Children Of Mental Awareness) Imprint! PEACE!

I was introduced to both Miles Davis and Candiria on the same day, by the same person. Back in the early days of the Internet in 2000, I was sent some jazz tracks and some Candiria tracks, and my musical tastes have never been the same.

Candiria is a band that's tough to categorize, harder to describe, and it's already been said that they fuse nearly 10 different types of music together in a cohesive package that stomps like a slow war march. They are the anti Dillinger Escape Plan and a less goofy/more stable Mr. Bungle (I love both of those bands, by the way).

I've been listening to 300% Density for almost 3 years now, with well over 150 playthroughs, and this album still rocks. The jazz-influenced hardcore, complete with more time signatures than you can shake a stick at, more shifts than is probably human, and drumming that will blow your mind (As long as your idea of a good drummer doesn't require the use of a double-bass pedal), this album is an absolute must-have. It's a startlingly original, fresh piece of work from 5 guys who are constantly redefining what is possible with a guitar, bass, and drums.

Get this album.

If you want music that is challenging, engrossing, and enthralling, do yourself favor and pick up this album. Candiria switches in-and-out of generes like no other band I've heard, and still manage to keep the music at a fever pitch, and with a reasonable amount of listenability. This album isn't for everyone, but if you've an open mind and time to let this album sink in, pick it up -- you can't go wrong.

I'd heard that Candiria mixes styles alot, but when I got this cd I was shocked. After the first two songs, the beginning of "Without Water" comes on and i'm wondering this is still the same band. For the most part this cd is brutal math-metalcore, it is crazy, but then they go right into hip-hop...I dont like hip-hop. I was disappointed when "Words From The Lexicon" came on, which is a pure rap song, which doesn't fit in at all, atleast I don't think it does. The jazz parts I didn't mind, as they show musical talent as well, and were quite interesting. If you like confusing metal-core, jazz AND hip-hop, you will love this cd. I love the metal, and don't mind the jazz, but when the hip-hop parts come on I want to fast forward. For the most part this cd rules, and if I was a fan of hip-hop this cd would have a 5 of 5, it is very complex and groovy at the same time. Plus the metal vocals rules.

If you want to get a taste of the variety, download "300 Percent Density" and "Words From The Lexicon" to see what I mean.

Being a death metal fan for so long, it took me a while to get over the lack of hyper speed rhythms, rumbling double bass drumming, and frantic fretwork. And at first, the genre changes did seem token.

But it grew on me.

First off, someone here complained that their use of odd time meter is annoying and pointless. I beg to differ. They use odd meter in an interesting way -- instead of COUNTING out a riff in 11/16 let's say (like most prog metal bands), they play the riffs by FEEL. I find this FAR more enjoyable than so-called math metal.

The vocals are AWESOME. Coma does a great job mixing it up between shouting, screaming at the top of his lungs, and flowing.

The drummer is INSANE. While he doesn't do blast beats or constant double bass drumming, his playing is unique, interesting and intense in its own way.

The guitars get monotonous occationally, but for the most part, they're killer as well. Again, not as complicated and intense as death metal, but slammin' nonetheless. And I like how the bassist kinda grooves on his own and doesn't just mimic the guitars.

Finally, I think the genre changes ARE token, but Candiria makes it work. I don't want to hear rap in every song and I don't want to hear jazz breaks where they aren't necessary. The breaks just add to the [intercoursed]-up vibe.

Overall, Candiria is quality, innovative, pummeling hardcore at its finest.