Chicago’s Lord Snow are standard-bearers in DIY, reaching a global albeit cult status by playing dense and technical screamo. Lord Snow began in 2011 through two sets of high school friends; bassist Steph Maldonado, guitarist Niko Zaglaras, drummer Erik Anderson, and vocalist An Lacy released an untitled demo EP and another called “Sovngarde.” Following Lacy’s departure in 2012, Maldonado became the band’s primary singer and Lord Snow released 3 more EP’s, an LP, 2 compilation appearances, and a split LP, as well as international tours in Mexico, Europe, and Canada. Now, with Lacy’s exciting return, Lord Snow has created something of a retrospective meditation on their past work. Lord Snow’s newest release, “Have You Heard Of The High Elves” is a reimagining of previously released material with Lacy performing Maldonado’s vocal parts.

Though they cite perfunctory screamo influences as France’s Daitro, Italy’s La Quiete, and California’s Funeral Diner and Loma Prieta, Lord Snow are deeply unique in their approach and widely known for their proficiency and lo-fi recordings. Lord Snow’s style is earmarked by the jazz feel of their songs; tempos fluctuate and, at times, break down altogether. At other times, each member is playing with an intensity and precision that could only be likened to another of Lord Snow’s influences: Amherst, Massachusetts legends Ampere. Zaglaras’ chords are passionate and doleful, switching rapidly between fingerpicking and strumming, Anderson’s very fill-heavy, frantic, and frankly astounding drumming often resides at the edge of human capability, and Maldonado’s vocals range between melodic singing and larynx-thrashing screams that often bleed into each other. The same can be said of Lacy, even from the time of Sovngarde, but they approach the tracks written in their absence with a style and presence entirely their own.

Like many of Lord Snow’s other recordings, “Have You Heard Of The High Elves” was recorded entirely by the band, doing their parts remotely in their respective locations in Chicago, LA, NYC, and Cleveland, practicing them virtually. The songs are hardly lo-fi this time, however, with punk producer-extraordinaire Jack Shirley handling mixing and mastering.

Limited vinyl pressing comes packaged in a full color jacket with a zine booklet and colored vinyl.

TRACK LISTING:
01. Never Again
02. Dastardly Halves
03. Alas the World Stops Spinning
04. It Is Known
05. The Background Static of Perpetual Discontent
06. Selfish Sleep
07. Dark Cloud
08. Stormcloak
09. Yellow Amarillo / Booker Dewitt
10. Incorrective Unconsciousness 11. Shere Khan
12. Free Your Mind Kevin Will Follow (Ending)
13. David Monroe’s Golden Plaque
14. Clairvoyance
15. Shallan Davar