The popular heyday of ska seems all but a hazy, distant memory now. The colorful genre, which made brass cool again and gave us all an excuse to use the word ‘skank’ in public, had served as both the baseboard for pop punk’s surge to prominence, as well as the latter genre’s prime beneficiary. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, it seemed like the party was over.
Nestled in there was the further niche genre of skacore, a term that, depending on who you talk to, was first coined by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and they became one of many who exemplified the style. And yet, there was always a disconnect in the naming convention – it was hard to find the ‘-core’ in ska core.
We told you that story to tell you this one. Enter 8 Kalacas from California, a ska outfit that has seemingly been necromantically raised from the skeleton of ska, and oh by the way, is pissed. Finally, we have the answer for what a true fusion of hardcore, ska and metal would sound like.
Their album, “Fronteras,” is as difficult to explain in common language as any album in recent memory. The best analogy for the reader is to imagine if Overkill was asked to do a Spanish-language version of the Voodoo Glow Skulls’ all-time classic album “Symbolic.” It took the better part of forty minutes to come up with that, and it still doesn’t feel quite right, so that hopefully gives some indication of how unique an experience “Fronteras” is.
There are tangential comparisons to Gogol Bordello in the offing, as are vague reminders of The Agents’ arcane blend of ska, reggae and rock, but truly, it’s hard to imagine a band that displays the ready versatility of 8 Kalacas (pronounced ‘Ocho,’ and not ‘Eight’ for reference.) Even Destrage, who we have lauded on these pages for their ability to maneuver between the reeds of genre, doesn’t blend them so thoroughly like this.
Because let’s be real here for a second – this shouldn’t work. Hardcore and metal have been talked about with a vivid list of descriptors over the years, but the Venn diagram of adjectives used to describe those genres and the ones used to talk about ska has very little overlap, and certainly doesn’t contain words like “bright.”
And yet, that’s where we are! If it feels like this very article is rambling, it’s because it is. And all of that is because “Fronteras” is so novel as to defy stereotypes. Which is, frankly, amazing.
Getting into the actual nuts and bolts of the album a little, it’s worth nothing that by the standards of ska and punk, “Fronteras” is full of very long songs, many over the four-minute mark. But there are none that overstay their welcome, none that ever sound tired or worn-out.
Skipping about halfway down the record, “Luz Y Fer” is one of the album’s paramount singles, as it features the most sublimely effortless blend of the lounge party feeling of ska and the visceral teeth of metal. There are many great cuts on “Fronteras,” but most of them lean slightly one way or the other. “Luz Y Fer” is the only one that truly seems to stand on the middle ground.
Speaking of great moments, “Mutante.” Because nearly every metal band since the genesis of the genre has written a breakdown, but none come to mind that have employed a trombone as part of the proceedings. Let that sink in for a minute, try to imagine it, then just go listen to it, because your imagination isn’t quite adequate.
Those are two of the highlights on an album that doesn’t have a disappointing moment. Even “Gato,” the album’s most earnest nod to its ska roots, eventually smooths out into a solid rock bridge, complete with righteous guitar solo. We didn’t even get to talk about album closer “1941,” perhaps the most complete composition on the record in terms of pacing, emotion and focus.
There is a disclaimer that should be added – if you are not a Spanish-speaker (as we are not,) the context of the album may be lost. Metal fans are used to this through years of listening to Rammstein, Erdling, Finntroll, etc, but it may be a new experience if you’re here for the ska. Regardless, even if the precise meaning slips through, the attitude certainly does not.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen an album release as unique as this. The Mexican roots, the California styling, the ska pop, the metal edge, the hardcore pace…there’s a lot to digest with “Fronteras,” and all of it is excellent. This is not to be missed.
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