In 1997, Buffalo hardcore heroes Snapcase released Progression Through Unlearning, the group’s seminal release, which stylistically advanced the genre with big riffs, conflicting meters, and punishing mid-tempo beats.
The band’s singer, Daryl Taberski, attached atypical lyrics to his screams, emphasizing self-realization and positive mental advancement (as evidenced by this title as well as Lookinglasself, the previous full-length that referenced Charles Cooley‘s famous sociological concept). But Taberski also included occasional sociopolitical messages, and Progression Through Unlearning proved to have some disillusioned lyrics that matched its aggressive sound.
Here we examine this album’s ten best moments (in chronological order):
1. Half-gatefold cover with illustrations by Limbert Fabian
The album’s booklet is interesting enough with its cut, but the illustrations of Limbert Fabian (a common Snapcase cover artist) give reference to man’s machinations and the layers of his mind.
2. Opening vocals and outro breakdown on “Caboose”
Progression Through Unlearning begins with an attention-grabbing, one-measure drum fill. That’s followed by a repeated, distorted guitar phrase in three eighth notes, a dissonant part on the second guitar’s high strings, and some staggered chugging. “Do you know yourself?” Taberski screams over a new palm-muted riff. “Do you know the others? Can you pull the weight that rides on another’s shoulders?”
This sets the table for the rest of the song’s powerful energy, which is capped by a head-banging conclusion. One guitar chord echoes as everything goes silent, only for the drums and others to rejoin with a kick-heavy beat. Drummer Tim Redmond follows the riff in 3/4 before jolting to a 4/4 groove.
3. Message about uninformed consumerism in “Guilty by Ignorance”
“The life you live – ignoring who you’re giving money to,” Taberski begins the album’s second song, one of the disc’s most message-driven numbers. “And you support the corrupt industries and companies who don’t think to care,” he continues. “You’re killing through ignorance. So understand they kill; they kill for the sake of capital gain. And your blind consumption fuels the corporate fires of destruction.”
It’s a call to action, but also one of important self-reflection. “So take a look at your empty conscience, because ignorance is not innocence,” Taberski concludes. “You have become the enemy to those victims of greed.”
4. Opening beat/guitars and breakdown in “Harrison Bergeron”
Playing four sets of three sixteenth notes (3+3+3+3) and then a set of four (4) – against eight quarter notes on the high hat – is a tried-and-true rock method of staying in 4/4 but sounding like a simple polymeter. It’s often overplayed, but here, to start the song, it works to a T, especially with the guitars’ unrelenting riff that eventually leads to real confliction of three vs. four.
Later in the song, a breakdown recaptures the opening rhythmic theme, but it tosses in an extra count – nine instead of eight – before returning to form.
5. High-string opening riff and breakdown in “Zombie Prescription”
Repeatedly moving a half-step up and down from the same note, one guitar ominously begins “Zombie Prescription” before the other crashes in with the other instruments. Near the 2:30 mark, Redmond reprises one of the album’s trademarks – playing in 4/4 under guitars playing in three.