It’s been three years since Tenue released Territorios, yet it already feels like ages ago. The emocrust stalwarts from Galicia, Spain, crafted a thrilling, liberating 29-minute opus that captured the tension of global political turmoil in its many twists and turns. Now, in a post-pandemic world, the band returns with their much-anticipated third record, Arcos, bóvedas, pórticos, an expansive blackened crust/screamo opus unlike anything else. Tenue’s musical identity, already broad and diverse, is even more challenging this time. Rooted in the legendary local neocrust scene, Tenue continues, from a modernized and more experimental perspective, the path laid by iconic acts such as Madame Germen, Ekkaia, and Ictus. This time around, as evidenced in the icy crescendo of tracks like the poetic “Enfoque,” Tenue delves even deeper into the blackened aspects of the genre, embracing its contemporary evolution. At its core, however, Arcos, bóvedas, pórticos remains a triumphant and emotive punk album, a hymn to mutual aid, direct and collective action, and the liberating power of communities fighting against capitalist alienation. Spanning 37 minutes, Arcos, bóvedas, pórticos (translated as “Arches, vaults, porches”) conquers bleak soundscapes, transforming them into furious disharmonies that seek to erase fear and post-modern alienation. The opening track, “Inquietude,” in its 9-minute glory, is a testament to Tenue’s ability to weave heavy emoviolence, Midwest emo, and even bossa nova elements into a post-black metal skeleton that explodes in its second half. Each of the five tracks that comprise the album delivers a varied yet cohesive punch of the aforementioned subgenres, with the sole purpose of evoking thrilling sonic passages that leave listeners in awe. During the climax of the galloping “Distracción,” one of the record’s highlights, Tenue’s passionate and extreme approach resonates with the flame of sedition that fights to stay alive inside each and every one of us. There is something communal in the way the band tailors their riffs, reminiscent of a feverish dance through motion—a joyous and unfettered creative spirit with sparkling eyes. Even in their most ambitious moments, such as the towering album finale with “Unión,” Tenue never lets go of the immediacy of their music. Their anarchist DIY politics and ethos shine through the use of extreme music as a healing force. Their sheer technicality is neither stagnant nor mindlessly brutal but stands as a testament to their boundless inspiration. At the end of the day, Arcos, bóvedas, pórticos is a crying rally of hope and solidarity, an extended helping hand that refuses to back down amid the poison of resignation and defeat. In their most complex, emotional, and passionate release yet, Tenue finds solace in the blasphemy against societal norms. By experimenting within the limits of the emocrust subgenre, the band offers an adventurous sonic exploration of profound feelings that connect the self to the political. With this latest album, Tenue has created a transcendental crust punk monument of tenacity and passion, capable of resonating not only with those who admire the furious and experimental aspects of the subgenre but with anyone seeking purpose and meaning in a dark world that seems ever-changing, though its root of all evil remains oddly familiar. This is dark and hostile music for those searching for the light of revolt and the sparks of human connection—magnificent, glorious, and clad in tears of joy and relief.
