Argos Checkmate hails from Syracuse and mix together the worlds of chaotic metalcore and ambient post-rock. You may think the two don't go together well, but the end result is rather enjoyable. “Dresden” and “Hellen Keller” take technical jibber-jabber to the next level, reminiscent of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Engineer, but with more chug. Meantime, “In the Warm” falls someplace between Tool and Explosions in the Sky. “Cerulean Tide” is the standout cut with twelve minutes that mash the soothing rock world with charging metalcore. The recording is sub-par, but for a self-released demo tracked at a community college, what do you expect? Given the opportunity Argos Checkmate could become something really good.
