Despite having only one record under their belt, Capra’s style is immediately recognizable. On their 2021 full-length debut, In Transmission, guitarist Tyler Harper and drummer Jeremy Randazzo effortlessly alternate between melodic metal riffs and hardcore dissonance, with drum passages that took the band from hardcore to groove metal. While to some, it may sound like indecision or an inability to commit to one sound, it’s actually a huge point in their favor. Nobody else sounded like Capra in 2021, and nobody else sounds like Capra in 2023. Their new album, Errors, picks up right where In Transmission leaves off without feeling like a rehash of their initial offering.
The opening track, “CHFS,” puts big grooves front and center, with vocalist Crow Lotus’ exasperated and now refined bark treated like a poetic and rhythmic instrument rather than a lead vocal. Capped at a tight two-and-a-half minutes, the band wastes no time with overblown intros or formalities. Only a minute into the song, it’s immediately obvious that some of In Transmission’s shortcomings have been addressed. Jeremy’s kick drum sound now punches through. New bassist Trevor Alleman pokes out the mix when needed, always serving the songs but never overstepping. Harper’s guitar tone has never been typical of a modern metal or hardcore band; instead, it’s mid-forward with the gain on 6 instead of 10, which serves in keeping this riffing exceptionally clear so nothing gets lost in the chaos.
“Tied Up” was a brilliant single choice, with Lotus finding a way to dance between Harper’s intricate riffing. Breakdowns have always been a key part of their sound, but the execution on Errors is much more seamless. The half-time groove closing out “Silana” will stick with you long after the record is done. Other highlights include “Trauma Bond,” with a gang vocal passage that will be a hit in their live show. Traditional metal fans and those unfamiliar with the Capra sound should skip right to “Kingslayer” to ease into it, with some familiar thrash and crossover elements featured prominently. “Human Commodity” delivers us the voice of Candace Puopolo from Walls of Jericho, and the play beyond the Lotus’ bark and Candace’s growl add vocal depth not found anywhere else on the record. Despite the big-name collaboration, this is the only song that feels a bit out of place, like it was written for the purpose of being a feature track. It’s not a bad song, but it might have served them better as a non-album single not to interrupt the otherwise flawless song order.
“Nora,” which closes out the record, is the biggest risk the band has taken musically, and it pays off. Featuring semi-clean guitars, an almost ambient feel in the bridge (with piano), and a dialed-down delivery from Lotus, the track is a perfect end to an otherwise relentless and pummeling riff fest, giving the album some breathing room in its final moments. Though a track taking this direction could have easily spilled over into a mindless ten-minute exploration of every pedal on the pedalboard, Capra still keeps it focused and tight.
There’s a lot of heavy emotional unpacking done on this record, lyrically speaking. While there isn’t a lyric sheet at the moment, it’s unsurprising that songs like “Trauma Bond” feel cathartic to the performers and listeners alike. Like, “Sometimes it’s okay to hate/and maybe that anger can set me free” perfectly encapsulates the record’s feel and sounds more like a mission statement than anything. Given the emotional weight of In Transmission (see “Red Guillotine” and “Torture Ship”), it will absolutely be worth sitting down to the liner notes and carefully combing through the words on this record.
Overall, Errors hits like a fucking hammer. Clocking in at only a hair over thirty minutes long across ten songs means they didn’t waste a second. Every sound and every song on this record is intentional, and it feels like it. There are no self-serving, ego-stroking moments for any single band member. Compared to In Transmission, it feels more focused and intentional. In the few moments where In Transmission fell into some of the typical hiccups of a band releasing their first full-length, Errors does not. This is not a sophomore slump. There are no weak songs here. Make space on your album of the Year list.
