Not to be confused with the British heavy metal band of the eighties or the Canadian death metal band who share the same name, New Jersey based Damascus recently released their debut Salutations, Distant Satellite! A raw fusion of metal and post rock, that takes its influences everywhere from Caspian and Explosions in the Sky to Rosetta and Maybeshewill. Having spent months writing and rehearsing the relative newcomers, Brendan Bianowicz (drums and percussion), George Eppinger (guitar), Gil Morejón (guitar and piano) and Edwin Rivera (Bass), have been diligently gigging on any stage they could find to promote the debut EP which ignites vigorously into life with the blistering Equinox. Weaving simplistic melodies through brutish aggressive riffs and punishing beats, Equinox sets the bar high for the rest of Salutations, Distant Satellite!, although unfortunately it would seem a little too high.
The rest of the EP, while adapting much of the same formula as the opener, somehow fails to deliver the same impact or punch that instantly demanded the listeners’ attention on Equinox. This said however, there are still moments on here where Damascus show glimpses of real talent and while not reaching the bruising apex of what has come before, tracks like Borealis and in particular Khalida, are fine examples of solid, uncompromising and melodic post rock.
It feels that Damascus have maybe shot themselves in the foot by putting their best foot forward (please excuse the foot puns), with the decision to open the EP with what is clearly its strongest track. So while it completely takes away from the rest of Salutations, Distant Satellite! this can surely be taken on board and used as a learning curve by the young New Jerseyans. With plans to release another EP later this year it will be interesting to see how Damascus develop and ascertain from their debut outing.
Listen to Salutations, Distant Satellite! here
