The Starboard Side

The Starboard Side

Someone must have buried Belton band Civella in a pet cemetery, because the group that rose from its grave seems demonically rabid. The Starboard Side, established in October 2005 with three of Civella's four members, smuggles a few surging melodies through its hardcore minefields, but the previous project's emo fragility has mostly vanished. Robust shouts replace vulnerable warbles, and thudding breakdowns and technical power-metal solos bulldoze where pointed indie-rock riffs once darted nimbly. The Starboard Side signed with Beat Oven, a local label run by the same folks who operate the American Icehouse. Having recently wrapped the writing process, the group won't release its debut disc for a while, but it's sure to play ferociously with the bosses watching.