Calma Quebranto, a formidable assemblage of musicians from Barcelona, who’ve cut their teeth with bands such as Moksha, Trees Will Tell, HZero, and Ferro, have unveiled their debut EP “Otras formas de arder” (Other Ways to Burn). Released under the auspices of The Braves Records and Godbox Records, this EP is an explorative expedition into the gritty realms of 90s and early 2000s post-hardcore, hardcore, and noise rock.
The four-track marvel, an artisanal creation shaped and honed at Heartwork Recordings by Gerard Porqueres, presents a soundscape that’s raw and organic yet visceral. Each note strummed by guitarist Daniel Budé, each rhythm birthed by drummer Sergi Florenza, every bass line delivered by Cristopher Díaz, and every lyric belted out by vocalist Joey Rego contribute to a minimalist approach that reverberates with an abrasive and powerful impact. What punctuates their delivery is the evocative and symbolic prose that serves as their lyrical manifesto.
On June 6th, they offered a foretaste of their sonic intensity with the release of the promotional single “Los olvidos eternos” (Eternal Oblivion), exclusively premiered by Rockzone Magazine. Now, they unveil the full EP on all digital platforms, gifting their listeners with the unique narrative tapestry woven into the fabric of “Otras formas de arder.”
The band delves deeper than mere sonic landscapes; they explore the complex geography of the human soul. Each track, a character in its own right, becomes a symbolic avatar of the hidden facets of our subconsciousness, our transformation post-trauma, and our evolving identity. “Otras formas de arder” is a poetic testament to the multifaceted nature of the human soul, asserting that our existence is not rendered null when something specific in our lives concludes. We are creatures of endurance, constantly finding new paths, new growth, and ultimately, other ways to burn.
The phrase “Other ways to burn“, originally conceived as a song title, morphed into the encapsulating moniker for the EP, reflecting the broader concept that underpins the entire project. It’s a summary of the themes embedded within each track, mirroring the metaphorical essence of the EP, and the plurality of the human spirit.
As an exclusive treat, Calma Quebranto shares a track-by-track commentary on their debut EP, offering a fascinating glimpse into their creative minds.
Dive in below to unravel the narratives that underscore this audacious project.
Track by track commentary:
1. LOS OLVIDOS ETERNOS:
I Guess you could translate it as “The Eternal forgetfulness” is a song that talks about letting yourself be carried away by anger, by the rage of something you suffered and moving only through that impulse. Living in and by anger will never get you anywhere. Still the character makes every action as a ritual of revenge hoping it will eventually lead somewhere.
The song started as a poem that I was originally writing for a magazine; the core part was:
“What frightens pleasure…
Expert creature in burning…
Addicted
to the cancer of punishment…
Feeds on fever,
grows by falling…
oh, my ghosts…
and other forms of burning…”
That eventually adopted the form of the final song you how hear. I was really obsessed with a poet from my home country, Venezuela, called Juan Sánchez Peláez, and I think you can tell it by the style of the writing on those lyrics.
2. QUINTAESENCIA:
“Quintessence”; a refined essence or extract of a substance.
“…and they walk me through the streets before the terror
(applauded loser)
The quintessence smells of sulfur and coal
(applauded loser)
A black smoke dresses the celebration…
(applauded loser)
the color of a sky that announces an error is transformed.
Those behind me say that there is no God or bread
They can’t do it anymore…
A Trembling heart that knows no reason.”
The character walks in a horrible walk of shame before being executed. Meanwhile, the whole town screams, throws things and complains about the lack of food, of faith, and will.
All entertainment is welcome. Death keeps the mind amused.
What is our quintessence? Are we made of such incendiary and dark feelings?
A metaphor for how some mistakes we make seem inexcusable and end up leading us to the guillotine. Another metaphor for how we feed on the suffering of others as if it were a TV show. And in an age of public scrutiny, where do you draw the line?
3. FUERZA CIEGA
“I can see rage flowing like honey
…a blind soul and white rags to burn.
No, no, no, no, she doesn’t search, she doesn’t want to, she can’t see anymore.
rabid dog… witch… fire… in.
Blind force …. Close to the surface
Praying hands while the kerosene rains”
Another song about being driven by anger, but this time it’s not against someone or anything specific. This time it is generalized, it is the description of that moment in which you feel that the whole world is against you.
It can be so hard to look inside yourself and stop being upset. We feel that the world owes us so much. Until that small turning point, in which you realize that no one owes you absolutely anything and that it is in your hands how you want to face the world around you. You can’t grow up living in hate, but you can learn a very valuable lesson from it.
4. DALTÓNICO IRREVERSIBLE
Irreversible color blindness. It’s the last song on the EP and, curiously, the first one we did as a group. The song talks about being an immigrant. After eight years outside my country, there are many parts inside of me that have managed to settle here, and many others that never will. I feel welcomed by this place, tucked in and loved, but there is always a piece of me that feels out of place. Deal with the grief of that recurring thought; An immigrant will always be an immigrant. It doesn’t always feel that way, there are better days than others, but it is inevitable to feel that a piece of you is missing; a part that was left behind in a land torn apart by greed, violence and hunger.
The song also tries to portray, in some way, the fear and pain of my native country, and the need to get away from that place and even trying to forget about that place, just to spend the rest of my life thinking about that same place and missing it. It is a very rare duality, a very complex love-hate situation.
“Why, while pointing north… you keep burning the south of your memories?
Running away from who saw me grow, just to become a martyr in another hell.
Why are you aiming north, burning down the south?”
