Comastatic: Live Fast Die Young

Hot off supporting From Ashes To New on their European headline tour, Comastatic are set to release their brand new album, ‘Live Fast Die Young’.

Eleven tracks explore the familiar experience of pursuing what we are told will bring fulfillment, only for the void to remain. Channeling emo’s emotional intensity with the heaviness of rock, the Swiss duo replicate the visceral rollercoaster of frustration and disappointment.

Cool, echoing vocals invite you in, signalling the start of something deep with the gradual swelling of emotional intensity. ‘Heavy Glow’gathers the mutual pain, but it is not fully resolved here. Instead, you are thrust into the rough-edged guitars of ‘Primitive’. A bouncing tempo and textured vocals with reaching choruses are a recipe to get you riled up. If that wasn’t enough, the collaboration with Point North, one of many special features on this album, will.

‘Sunburn in the Summer’is where the emo essence comes to the forefront. Perhaps ironically, this is a song you would reach for to soundtrack your warm summer afternoons. Think early 2000s pop-punk summer vibes without losing the alt-rock edge that fuels your joy as Mattia Di Paolo unleashes ample “blurghs”.

Considered and reflective is where the journey takes us next with ‘Deja Vu’. Featuring the gentle tones of Yours Truly offset against the pain-laden gritty vocals of Mattia creates an extra layer of depth to the album’s themes. Another emo-flavoured track with unburdening roars and cries fits the bill, so you can imagine the surprise when ‘Zorro’ kicks off with an underlay of drum and bass. Reappearing in segments to contribute to the chaos-inducing feeling that swells in your stomach with the disjointed shreds of guitars, this track gives you a lot to sink your teeth into.

“I’m about to crash and burn and I don’t give a fuck” tells you everything you need to know about the turn of tides by this point in the journey. With a suitably pop-punk attitude, it makes sense that Down and Out had a hand in ‘Self Sabotage’. I was not surprised by the nostalgic emo-core vibes of ‘24Seven’when I saw Melrose Avenue featured. Catchy, feel-good and suitably effervescent, it closes with a dramatically curtailed ending.

Unexpectedly, rap enters the mix. ‘Sway[ed]’ joins the list of tracks that demonstrate the vast vocal and sonic capabilities of Comastatic. Tailoring roars, screams, and soaring choruses to convey feelings and connect with listeners on the subject of each track has been undertaken with ease. Conveying messages concerning deep and challenging subjects whilst avoiding a heavy, gloomy, looming feeling is no easy feat, but they make it appear effortless.

‘Halo’ and ‘American Nightmare’ formed part of the setlist during the recent tour. Creating a feeling of unity within the room, arms swayed and voices rose to the rafters during these gentle-toned and heartfelt tracks. Comastatic are, however, alt-rock, so “shut the fuck up and be quiet” got the room excited once more, as it does on the album.

Combining the gentle elements that reached listeners with the momentum that got them dancing, ‘Resurface’ brings ‘Live Fast Die Young’ to a conclusion. Resolution was not felt nor found by the time we reached the 11th track, highlighting the poignant message that the journey towards fulfillment is ongoing rather than something to be permanently obtained.