Review / 200 Words Or Less
Cape Of Bats
Transylvania

Holy Terror (2012) Jon E.

Cape Of Bats – Transylvania cover artwork
Cape Of Bats – Transylvania — Holy Terror, 2012

Cape of Bats is probably the least known about band in the Holy Terror Roster. Cape has slowly been releasing songs online for free throughout the past couple years. Now one the cusp of their first physical release one may ask what are they about. Well, with as many ill founded conclusions one could come to between their name and EP title let me assure any reader that there is no silliness or twilight related stupidity to be found. Instead this is an EP based on lore of a place that one of their members live near. This lore is highlighted within the liner notes through an essay.

The music itself is a very caustic blends of first wave black metal, crust and a slight bit of old school deathrock. All of these elements are blended in such a way that each track seems to flow without sapping energy away from their attack. Opener "To Transylvania" starts with plaintive piano before delving into a nasty lurching song replete with caustic screams that eventually lead to short bursts of fury. Within this one song Cape of Bats not only introduces themselves but also shows you what they have up their sleeves musically without giving everything away. Simply put Cape of Bats deserve your notice the songs are a mix of many things without ever feeling forced and the artwork and essay are a perfect outer shell for the music that lies beneath.

8.4 / 10Jon E. • February 13, 2012

Cape Of Bats – Transylvania cover artwork
Cape Of Bats – Transylvania — Holy Terror, 2012

Recently-posted album reviews

Floating Boy

Perfect Place
Independent (2026)

Sarasota, Florida’s Floating Boy have been grinding for seven years, quietly shaping themselves into a band that lives and breathes the ethics of Fugazi (if you couldn’t tell by their track inspired name) and the emotional chaos of DIY punk. Their debut full-length, Perfect Place, is the culmination of that time. There are ten tracks of anxious, politically charged emo-punk/post-hardcore … Read more

The Brokedowns

Let's Tips The Landlord
Red Scare Industries (2025)

I've reviewed a lot of Brokedowns records over the years. First, I'll say I love the band and I honestly feel like they keep getting better. Second, I'll say that this record threw a couple of surprises at me. The band play multi-vocalist poppish punk in the school of Dillinger Four or Errth, albeit more on the angry side. There … Read more

Dumbells

Up Late With
Mind Melt Records (2025)

When I started my end of year list this year I asked my pal Joel from Portland’s Dumpies to share his best of 2025 playlist with me. Several songs caught my attention which I, in turn, went and checked out the albums from which they had come. The one that has quickly climbed up my year end list over the … Read more