That Was Then “Weathered”

Apparently Memphis, TN's That Was Then (who shares a vocalist with the almighty Dead City) is calling it quits next month, which is a great damn shame seeing as their final EP, "Weathered", is easily their best work yet. Offering up six tracks (bookended by two beautiful acoustic passages) in a little over 15 minutes, the material is a little faster, more energetic, more emotional, and more intricate than that of 2006's "Troublemakers" EP. There's still a base of traditional hardcore buried in there, but the music's far more interesting now in its use of an almost constant undercurrent of melody—countered by just the right amount of heaviness. The slight bump in the pace really kicks things in the ass, working well alongside the zippy picking patterns and discordant chord phrasings. And the recording's great, too: Nice and clear, with a warm sense of space that lets the dual guitar interaction shine, easily audible basslines, etc. Hear for yourself:

That Was Then "Intro/Rabid Notions"

Every night that I lay down I contemplate what to do with myself. But I can't decide. I don't want to roll the dice, I want guarantees. In something, in anything. I'm hounded by the thought. My ambition is seldom sought, and never found. So I'm staying glued to this spot. Reveling in ruts, and never finding the guts, and never wising up to the way I drown, lungs full, hands bound, by my own device...

[DOWNLOAD] That Was Then "Weathered" (@ Mediafire)

I'm impressed, that's all there is to it. I'd fucking love to hear more, but... at least Dead City's still kickin'.