Cinemechanica

Cinemechanica stands as one of the most intellectually rigorous forces in the Athens, Georgia, experimental rock scene, defining a unique space within millennial math-rock and post-hardcore. Formed in 2006 by guitarist Bryant Williamson, bassist Joel Hatstat, and drummer Mike Albanese (also a member of Maserati), the trio's identity is built upon relentless precision and an explosive, controlled tension. They specialize in meticulously arranged, polyrhythmic compositions that transform structural complexity into visceral, kinetic energy. Due to a deliberate, painstaking compositional process, Cinemechanica releases new material infrequently, giving every carefully plotted note immense weight. This dedication to craft, highlighted by collaborations with heavyweights like mixer Kurt Ballou of Converge, has cemented their reputation as a powerfully focused and intellectually demanding band in the modern underground.

Biography

Cinemechanica first announced themselves with the album The Martial Arts in 2006. From the beginning, they carved a space in the region’s millennial math-rock landscape with intricate riffs, meticulous arrangements, and a palpable tension that gave their music a kinetic energy all its own.

In the decade that followed, Cinemechanica released only a single EP, Rivals in 2008, a double-drum experiment that extended the band’s obsession with rhythm and precision. Rather than flooding the market with records, the group focused on refining every note, every beat, and every song structure. This deliberate approach gave their work an intensity that few other bands could match. Every performance and every recording felt carefully plotted, every second of music carrying the weight of months of thought and rehearsal.

In 2016, the band released the long-anticipated self-titled album, Cinemechanica. The record was recorded with guitarist and vocalist Jordan Olivera of Manray and mixed by Kurt Ballou of Converge, with engineer Kevin Ratterman overseeing the sessions at La La Land Studios. From the opening blast of the track “Hang Up the Spurs” to the closing hyper-melodic bleed of “Biblical Noise,” the album is a study in tension and release. The songs move with a constant urgency that can feel overwhelming and exhilarating at once. The body responds as the brain processes the music, the precise, mechanical structures of the songs intersecting with visceral emotional energy.

Cinemechanica’s live shows extend this meticulous approach into a physical realm. The band’s compositions, while carefully structured, feel alive and immediate when performed, with each member contributing to a dynamic interplay that can veer from tight, controlled passages into moments of cathartic abandon. For live performances, Bryan Aiken of Lazer/Wulf joins the trio, bringing additional energy to a band that thrives on intensity and interaction.

Watch

"Hang Up The Spurs" Music Video

Personnel

• Bryant Williamson (Guitar, vocals)

• Joel Hatstat (Bass, vocals)

• Mike Albanese (Drums)

• Jordan Olivera (Guitar, vocals on Cinemechanica)

• Bryan Aiken (Live guitar, vocals)

Discography

• The Martial Arts (2006) The band’s debut album, which established their reputation for dense, technical math-rock blended with post-hardcore aggression. It is characterized by complex time signatures and angular riffing. Key tracks: “Yen,” “Brain Tarp,” and “I’m Tired of Paul McCartney.”

• Rivals (EP) (2008) A transitional, double-drum experiment that further explored the band’s fascination with rhythmic complexity and intricate percussion. It provided a short but intense stop-gap release between their major albums.

• Cinemechanica (2016) The highly anticipated self-titled second full-length album. Mixed by Kurt Ballou, the record is a powerful study in tension and release, featuring explosive, meticulously arranged songs that are both mathematically precise and emotionally charged. Key tracks: “Hang Up the Spurs,” “Vietnamese Pool Party,” and “Biblical Noise.”