Sparta: back with a bang

A few years back, Sparta opened for a show and stunned its audience. Musicians fresh out of the band At the Drive-In, they started over with a different sound that had hints at their old flavor, but with something new to call their own. The band's debut live show was powerful. Being veterans of an intense band, you did not expect less, but their release of the Wiretap Scars was disappointing and failed to demonstrate the band's power. However, the group's new album, Porcelain, illustrates their strength as well as the musicianship, and comes together as an impressive record.\nWhile the songs on Porcelain are structured similarly, the album does not become tiresome or repetitive. Songs like "While Oceana Sleeps" and "Guns of Memorial Park" stand out mainly for their passionate lyrics and melodic rhythms. Jim Ward's vocals match perfectly for the emo-core base of these anthems. This is often followed with the usual soft then loud contrasting guitar leads. "Hiss the Villain" remains the most prevailing track and has an ending that is respectfully reminiscent of At the Drive-In.\nSparta's last record definitely lacked something; to me it seemed to be confidence. There is nothing timid here, and while they stand in a genre of cookie-cutter sounds, I believe Sparta has found something unique and has made it work tremendously well on Porcelain.