By Dave Guzda
I was fortunate to stumble upon DETTA's debut E.P. entitled Into the Green-Gold Morning a few weeks back. DETTA is a three piece progressive-rock/post-rock instrumental band hailing from San Diego, California. The five tracks are rooted solidly in post-rock but I hear some subtle (and occasionally not so subtle) influences from noise-rock, math-rock and even metal. I bet the trio has an impressive and diverse music collection!
The E.P. begins with 'Eastern Groves' and some impressive drumming by Anays Torres. The drums sound crisp, snappy and precise throughout the E.P., but they especially stand out on this track. The ending of 'Eastern Groves' sees DETTA's guitarist Louis Cerutti push into an heavy edgier sound that intensifies during the entire track. 'Marullo' starts off with a slow groove that develops into some playful riffage by Cerutti. The track has numerous time changes and escalates a few times from slow and gentle into raging noise laden aggression.
Next is the single off this E.P. entitled 'Rock Biter'. The track is catchy and melodic with some engaging interplay between Luke Davis' lively bass work and Torres' steady drumming. 'Ants' has a chipper, jangly opening that builds slowly as DETTA works the melody. 'Ants' is one of the slower tracks on the E.P. although it does pick up toward the end with some blazing guitar. Into the Green-Gold Morning ends with 'Shape-Shifters'. A curious track that lurches forward with some start-stop elements. The track shifts forward with a slappy bass groove as the band develops the musical theme. 'Shape-Shifters' ignites half way through of the song with some jittery guitar noise over a vocal sample originally from 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure'. It may sound odd, but it works.
DETTA have some serious chops. Into the Green-Gold Morning is an impressive debut that showcases the threesome's fine musicianship and musical range. The tracks sound tight with meandering sophisticated arrangements you would expect to hear from a seasoned band. While the album doesn't push into new territory and may over-meander at times, it is nevertheless a compelling addition to the post-rock genre.
DETTA is working on a full length release which they expect to finish this year. If Into the Green-Gold Morning is any indication of the quality of material DETTA creates then I expect good things from this band in the future.
