ninehertz

I have no recollection of how I came across A Festa, but I’m mighty glad I did. mangualde, from Porto, have created a real livewire of a record, permanently fierce and bouncing off the walls, with no respect or restraint so they leap over genre boundaries at will and without a care. It makes for a wonderful ride.

The tempo is set early on through rabid vocal manic hardcore. It is hard to tell if the crazed guitars are attempting a complex math rock structure or simply so loose and unhinged it gives off that false impression. Festa Puta’s fast shuffling start become similar angular, bringing in thoughts of noise-rock, but again – as is often album-long – that feels like an act of inadequate pigeonholing that mangualde will not stand for, instead tossing these thoughts at you as a result of its freedom and itchy feet non-conformity.

Is there a touch of screamo in amongst the skitzoid hardcore jumpiness of Era de Prata? Probably… maybe. This song alone then turns once more, darker with shrill vocals and a heavier egde as it blackens. I hear riot-grrl anger here, The Locust madness over there. There’s perhaps a natural nod to Rolo Tomassi, post-hardcore dissonance driving the show. Even on the brief moments when their sound becomes delicate – in particular on the closing QSFD it springs a surprise trap – from emo beginnings through various stages towards an almost psych ending with screamed vocals.

I’m making this sound like its all over the place, which is remiss of me. It does draw all these separate emotions and genre comparisons to mind, but it does so cohesively. It is alive – it must be an absolute blast to see at a gig. This is the vital sounds of hardcore, played as it should be, with intent and adventure.