CARDINALE: 31:13

Cardinale

31:13

© 2006 Arclight Records (733792654921)

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Cardinale focuses on writing dynamic songs with melodies and layered arrangements that not only knock the listener to the ground with their heaviness, but carry them on an epic journey over varied aural landscapes

tracks

1 31:13

notes

It’s virtually unheard of to release your debut album as a single track. That’s exactly what the boys in Cardinale have done - on their 2006 release for the Arclight label, ’31:13’ (you guessed it right – titled after the length of the extended track). Formed in Austin, Texas in early 2005, Cardinale is comprised of a pair of guitarists/vocalists, Dave Finner and Tommy Messbauer, bassist Derek Moreland, and drummer Keith Palumbo.

“Finner and I work together, and did a project I had called Orca,” explains Palumbo about Cardinale’s beginnings. “We wanted to refocus on a heavier sound. Derek and I were already in a band together called Sea of Thousand - Finner and Derek were in a band together previously. So, the starting line up was just us three, then we asked Tommy to join, who was already in Sea of Thousand with Derek and myself.”

Moreland picks up on the group’s interesting choice for a name. “As almost anyone will tell you, naming a band is a huge pain-in-the-ass. We were no different. We liked the imagery it brought with it as well as its potential double-triple meaning. It brings to mind the deep red color, almost blood-like, almost regal. You also have the religious and numerical aspects. Cardinal Sin, Cardinal Rule, etc.

Although extended compositions usually immediately bring to mind prog rock of the ‘70s, there’s nothing ‘prog’ about ’31:13’ – just a journey from heavy and intense to melodic and fluid. Messbauer describes the songwriting process for the band as such – “We record our writing sessions, and then evolution occurs. Initially, we play by feel, but eventually go back to the practice recordings to capture the idea of where we were going. Then, the strong parts survive and evolve, layer by layer. Somewhere along the way, we take these atomic ideas and arrange them, play, tweak, and play some more. There are really no boundaries to anything, except maybe to keep things fluid.”

Messbauer also pointed out that ’31:13’ was pieced together out of several different compositions. “We had over 60 minutes of stuff we liked, sort of the top of the evolutionary chain. We each took a CD and listened to it. When we came back, we wrote up an arrangement based on the uncut tracks. Then, that became one piece and it evolved. We don't hold ourselves to that format, but I think it would be in ballpark to say the terms epic, fluid, and heavy are involved.”

Cardinale has already tested ’31:13’ on stage, and according to Moreland, the response has been positive. “Yes, the crowd response is really good. People don't go crazy as in mosh pits and all that, but they definitely pay attention.”

Messbauer sums up the Cardinale experience as the following. “Cardinale takes you on an epic, thought-provoking, emotional, and aggressive journey through life. As this band grows, I see a solid link between our lives, influences, and music.”

reviews

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  • More structured than Earth and heavier than Sleep, the fourpiece sets up slow an
    author: Darcie Stevens (Austin Chronicle)

    It's so much more than just a name. Austin newbie metalheads Cardinale, spawn of Sea of Thousand, crank their debut in Tia Carrera style: one track, undulating between agro thrash and lulling near-poetry. And it must be said: Twist one up and park your butt. If the mind-space isn't right, the music will crash down like a teetering tower of empty PBR cans. More structured than Earth and heavier than Sleep, the fourpiece sets up slow and easy, rain falling on a tin roof. Then the lightning hits, extolling the strength of cacophony over peace. Herein lies the one fault of Cardinale: the guitars hit somewhere between Isis and Acid Mothers Temple, the drums trip in color, but the voice – D. Finner's throat is pure death metal. His guitar whips through the flail with speed and insurrection, but there's a time and place for all things Drano. Ultimately, Cardinale beckons instrumental, and the majority of this 31-minute track is a scary, voiceless ride on a rickety roller coaster. This might be stoner, but it ain't no jam. ***

  • Cardinale took a risk with 31:13 and it paid off. For that, this one’s recommend
    author: John Pegoraro

    Austin, Texas’ Cardinale take a ballsy step out of the gate with their debut, 31:13. After all, it’s not everyday when a new band (they formed in early 2005) has the audacity to make you judge them on one 31 minute, 13 second song. But hey, they pull it off. This isn’t one long rock jam; rather, Cardinale is of the Isis/Neurosis school of sonic bludgeoning. While the style of those two groups is noticeable, this four-piece steps ahead of the like-minded groups that have seemingly sprouted up overnight by keeping this influence more conceptual than direct. For instance, there’s also a good bit of sludgey grind, a la Deadbird or Kylesa, to counterbalance the more melodic sections. And “31:13” has plenty of peaks and valleys as it evolves. They don’t settle into one groove for too long, and the passages never really wear out their welcome. Nor does the song as a whole. Cardinale took a risk with 31:13 and it paid off. For that, this one’s recommended. URL: http://www.thecardinaleempire.com/

  • 31:13 does several things well, and is a respectable debut
    author: MATT MOORING

    It was probably about a year ago when I commented in a review that the Neurosis/Isis-influenced post-hardcore/metal atmospheric sludge movement was growing rather crowded. Since that time I’ve probably heard another dozen albums, most of which were of good-to-excellent quality. This particular sub-genre (remaining steadfastly nameless) continues to produce a satisfying outgrowth, although some acts have done more to add their own stamp to the style. Austin, Texas’ Cardinale are the latest to throw their (cowboy?) hat into the ring, with their debut effort 31:13. Formed in early 2005, well after this style gained momentum, the band does little to move the genre forward, but proves that they’re apt pupils capable of entertaining manifestations of Isis, Pelican, and Cult of Luna affinities. 31:13 consists solely of the title track, and I’ll give you three guesses at the length of the release. It’s tricky to pull off a single composition album, especially for a debut, so one has to admire the band’s ambition. Like the mirror image visual its title suggests, 31:13 offers symmetrical dichotomies of approach consistent with the hallmarks of the genre. The track opens quietly, as a delicate melody dances and swells and the full band then launches directly into a heavier section. 31:13 is a largely instrumental affair, and without actually counting, it seems that there are about six or seven total minutes worth of vocals on the album, all of which occur during the heaviest portions of the music. Between those moments the band focuses on quieter variations achieved with swaying melodies and echoing guitar lines. The song continually ebbs and flows, as circular meditations building to intense, crashing climaxes. Roughly speaking, Cardinale break the song into three sections, or maybe more accurately, offer signposts along the way, and at ten minutes in, the band fall silent after a section of explosive exaltation, with heavy, accented riffing and acidic vocals. They quickly launch back into the same section, but this time work backwards from heavy, to spirally, Pelican-esque melodies before slowing down and eventually devolving into a mass of squealing exhaustion. During the final third of the piece the band creates some nice (and quite welcome) variation, using an acoustic melody to bridge the outro to a sludgy heaviness and the subsequent airy, open section. The intensity soon builds to massive crescendo, and the band launch enthusiastically into their most aggressive, and most interesting, heavy stretch of music. This final third of music also is more successful in layering melodies and tempos. 31:13 does several things well, and is a respectable debut. However, Cardinale do suffer by comparison. There is little to point to as outright error on this album, but at the same time, this young band seems to be missing the something extra that has made many albums in this style so enthralling. There are plenty of totally convincing stretches, but in its entirety the album doesn’t command the kind of attention that makes it impossible to ignore. That might be a risk of a single composition effort, and maybe a collection of songs would be an improvement. The other thing that would serve Cardinale well is to work on including more layers and dynamics. The album has a nice, organic feel, but the trajectory of the songwriting holds very little surprise, and the band stays well within clearly marked boundaries of the song and the style. Still, both of these criticisms are based on what I hear on other albums that push them from good to great, and as is, this album is an enjoyable listen that I'll definitely be revisiting. 31:13, especially for a first effort, is a worthwhile album for genre enthusiasts, and easily does enough to make Cardinale a band to watch. However, at this point they are a couple lengths off the pace, and those less excited about this style should pass up this good album in favor of several recent great ones.

  • This is the debut from this Austin band, and I hope there are many more to come.
    author: Wolfie

    This is the debut from this Austin band, and I hope there are many more to come. Cardinale's first album consists of one track, 31 minutes, and 13 seconds in length, with long stretches of instumental parts, flowing into heavy meltdowns of angst-ridden distortion with vocals here and there. It's never boring to say the least, very well-written with many complexities. If you dig Pelican, Isis, Ocean, etc. you need to check these guys out.

  • Cardinale may be downtempo but they're pulsing with thick metallic energy
    author: Upchuck Undergrind

    Cardinale may be downtempo but they're pulsing with thick metallic energy, assuming the mantle of stoner/doom but incorporating much in the way of hardcore and indie ethic. The music crawls with long, contemplative, dark, mesmerizing passages that give way to equally slow and dark passages thickened with raging vocals that blend perfectly with the aesthetic of the music. Cardinale will feel both familiar and different to new listeners and should satisfy those seeking new, original metal.

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