Year of the Ox

Fucked Up

For those who might not be aware, Toronto's beloved hardcore punk outfit, Fucked Up, have this series based on the Chinese zodiac. The band uses the series to get a little indulgent: incorporating more eclectic instrumentation, stretching song lengths far beyond the standards of hardcore, and overall just taking hardcore punk to more progressive heights. In 2010, the band released their fourth instalment in the series, Year of the Ox, and I'll be honest with you… I think it is one of the best hardcore punk tunes of all-time. It's a thirteen minute epic that is absolutely worth every single second. It begins with a cello playing a simple walking phrase in 6/4 time as pads of strings and guitars start to surround it. When the song finally kicks in, we get a peppy drum beat with driving kicks and snares, ringing guitars, and the bass picks up that walking line introduced by the cello. The verses have this really catchy 'tick-tock' rhythm that is mirrored by both the guitars and Damian 'Pink Eyes' Abraham's distinct holler. Here we essentially have the basis for the first half of the track; alternating between these really catchy verses and these brief cool down moments that prepare us for the next set of shouts. Occasionally, the tension overflows into a cathartic 'chorus' section where the band goes full-tilt for a quick spurt. “I am the ox who broke my chains, so I could fly away,” Abraham yells fittingly. Eventually the strings return for a sweeping instrumental passage that continues to build until we reach a crashing climax of cymbal wash, powerful down-stroked guitar, and elegant strings.

It's not over though, as the band quickly launches into another section with the same driving rhythm and some palm muted guitars. Abraham and Nika Roza Danilova, also known as Zola Jesus, trade vocal lines that steadily grow in intensity. It is also during this section where it becomes more apparent that we are hearing two different drum performances layered on top of each other. Drummer Jonah Falco plays different snare fills on accenting bars creating this really interesting ping-pong effect. We meditate on this section for a little bit, slowly building up that tension until it once again, spills over into one final extended chorus where all the instruments triumphantly play in unison. It is truly a brilliant piece of songwriting, and from a hardcore band no less.

As for it's companion piece, Solomon's Song, the songwriting is not sharp enough to justify it's twelve minute length. It still has some cool elements like the doubled up drums, and a smoky saxophone that is responsible for the track's film noir aesthetic. Really, it's the song's final five minutes where it loses direction. It opens up into this free-form jam mainly centred around the saxophone. It's not all that compelling and has nowhere near the climactic finish the title track has. Regardless of how I feel about the b-side though, it's really cool to see Fucked Up experiment in a genre that is not really interested in changing the game, and in all likelihood, frowns upon it. The way the band messes with the formula on Year of the Ox actually leads me to believe it would be a great gateway to hardcore music, which does sound odd considering its length. But given the conservative tempo, the steady flow of tension and release, the raw emotional power, and how the rushes of strings and the major tonality dampen the aggressiveness of the vocals, I can see this track subverting people's expectations of what hardcore is. I can't say enough nice things about it honestly and I would implore you to give it a listen, even if hardcore is not your thing.