The past four to five years has seen a lot of comebacks from bands that have been disbanded for quite some time, often spurred on by anniversary shows celebrating a particular album or EP from their discography. One of the latest artists to emerge from an extended period of hibernation is San Diego based Lower Definition, whose original run from 2002 to 2009 saw them release an EP and 2008 full-length The Greatest of All Lost Arts. That particular album went under the radar for some at the time, but it was one that really grabbed me at the time thanks to soaring vocals and a sound that fell somewhere between post hardcore, metalcore, and alternative rock. Lower Definition would try to give things another go from 2009 to 2011, putting out another EP before once again disappearing. But the third time seems to be the charm, as after a reunion for the anniversary of The Greatest of All Lost Arts they reformed permanently in 2020 and have finally put out their sophomore effort The Purpose of the Moon. It’s an effort that adds naturally to their sound while also making it feel like the lengthy gap never happened, showcasing the band is back in fine form.
Lower Definition’s previous material had some breakdowns and that metalcore tone at certain points, but their sound has always been rooted a bit more in the post hardcore side of the aisle with airier melodies and dips into alternative territory. Opener “Loom” does a great job of re-introducing all aspects of their sound, as it has softer, dreamy guitar melodies that lead into some heavier instrumentation and even some slight hints of pop rhythms. From there the group hops around a decent amount, as “What Are You Running From” has a twisting and turning riff that gives me hints of early The Mars Volta while closer “Aphasia” has warmer melodies that give off more of that dreamlike and hazy atmosphere. The Purpose of the Moon has expanded further on some of the heavier metalcore elements from its predecessor as well as the sprawling alternative melodies, giving listeners plenty to dig into on each track. The breakdowns aren’t overused either, making tracks like “Godmode” stand out more thanks to their placement. Admittedly there is one aspect that does hold the album back a bit, and that’s the quietness of the guitars in the mix. There’s a noticeable emphasis on the vocals and low-end, and they sometimes overpower the guitar leads and obscure some of the finer details. As a result, this does make some of the moments blur together rather than standing out as they truly could.
Matt Geise’s singing was an element of Lower Definition’s music that drew me in back in 2008, and that continues to be the case on The Purpose of the Moon. The way his voice heads so easily into higher registers makes a big difference, as it soars above the recording but there is still the right amount of bite. “What Are You Running From” is an early highlight for this reason, as the way the singing expands and transforms over the course of the song is entrancing. There are also shifts over to screaming, and the combination of harsher screams and haunting singing on tracks like “Blackflower” showcase quite a bit of intensity that sticks with you. I do wish there was just a bit more screaming at certain points, as the clean verses do start to get a bit similar, but it’s still great to hear Geise sounding just as strong as he was seventeen years ago.
Lower Definition’s return is a welcome one, as their particular blend of post hardcore, metalcore, and other rock elements feels just as engaging as it did over fifteen years ago. The Purpose of the Moon didn’t grab me quite as much as its predecessor, mainly because the guitars tend to get buried in the mix and this does make some of the songs harder to tell apart. But even with that being the case, when the material hits its peak it has drawn me back and I hope that this sophomore effort leads to even more down the road.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg