Saintseneca – Dark Arc

By Ryan G

One of the breakout bands of 2014 is without a doubt Saintseneca. Making waves in the underground circuit for years, finally someone important noticed the band and signed them to Epitaph subsidiary Anti- Records. Following the release of the Uppercutter 7″ last fall, we finally have the long awaited Dark Arc full length.

Dark Arc is neither your mom and pop’s folk band nor a part of the folk revival happening these days. Dark Arc is suitable intro to the world for a band that’s, well, dark. The stripped down set up of the band is somehow changed into something that sounds absolutely huge. Organic, yes, but huge.

Zac Little, with his already trademark red mustache and enigmatic demeanor is the perfect frontman for the band. He lends slightly nasal vocals that are on point and pitch, yet imperfect enough to be believable. They complement the pounding stomp-drumming and percussion. This is especially notable in songs like “Falling Off” and the epic single “Happy Alone” – which a fellow music fan crowed on social media about the song having the potential to push the band to new heights. And, there are other songs, like “Blood Bath” which lull us into a melancholy state before surprising us with a jarring tempo change and heavily amplified bass drums. Nowhere is the beauty and muscle juxtaposed more than in the intro and the flesh of “Falling Off”, the former which carries a haunting flute melody to carry us into the organized cacophony that is the main song. Zac Little’s vocals don’t steal the show the whole record – Maryn, who has another role in the hipster approved pop punk band All Dogs as front woman (there aren’t too many of those) leads the way in the wistful “Fed Up With Hunger.” “Uppercutter” is another highlight, being a bit more conservative on the percussion yet placing an emphasis on harmony and spotlighting one of the best melodies of the album. “Takmit” has the loudest acoustic guitar you’ll hear all year.

Shoot, there really isn’t a bad song on the record. You do need to be in a pensive mood to experience the album best though. And a nighttime listen, especially if it is your first, is a must.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuzHUFlyGYI&h=297&w=450]