Pre-releasing a highly anticipated album is a fantastic idea. Mixing that into a hometown CD Release Party is even better. And that's exactly what the Denver band The Epilogues did for their upcoming album Cinematics. So for the few hundred lucky souls that were out that night, there was an excellent multi-aesthetic experience to be had.

The stage was dimly lit with a few tower lights in the back and the occasional reds and blues coming from above. Though it was only minimal effects there was still an essence of Innerpartysystem and Nine Inch Nails drifting around. And given the overall tone of their new album, this set up was quite fitting. The new album is full of impressive selections and the setlist followed suit, however there were a few that really stood out.

Synthesizers created layers of pulsating sounds blanketing the audience, gradually bringing in soft vocals and ultimately creating an almost haunting feeling in the venue during the song "The Keene Act". When the tempo finally kicked up there was an indie rock melody of distorted guitars, and shoegazer rhythms. The cleverly placed pauses acted as catalysts, shifting each section of the song and making it more powerful than the previous.

Having Rolling Stone take interest in one of your songs is a big thing for any band, but for a DIY band it's insanely huge. So of course we were all looking forward to seeing "Paradigm Shift" performed live. One thing that The Epilogues do best is create some undeniable drama in their songs; the kind of drama that gets your heart racing and your volume inexplicably getting louder and louder. This type of music translates to the stage quite well. The lead in progression of notes came across the electric guitar that night perfectly. And all it took was those few notes for the audience to go crazy. But what really brought it home was the hardcore alternative thrashing that came out in each chorus. The melodies from the heart of the song were still there, but our heads were rocking too hard to notice.

And what would a CD Release Party be without the song that hooked most of the fans there? "Hunting Season" has this crazy intoxicating quality to it and you can't listen to it just once. Between the marching band percussion and anthem rock guitar chords, you'd think the vocals would've been hard to pick out. Nope, those words that instantly became embedded in our minds were clear as day on stage. This was one of the many songs when energy was at its highest on stage and throughout the venue. Each musician gave it their all, moving with every beat of the song, becoming more and more covered in sweat. But then so were their fans.

For a local release show it was a well-attended night, for a DIY band just now hitting the national scene it was successful. Overall, it was also fun.

-Rachel Fredrickson

The Epilogues
October 6th, 2012
Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO

More Music Features

Talk Back
e-mail the chief

Like this article?
e-mail it to a friend!