I love it when music is given vocality, poured directly from the depths of a man’s soul, with a fine line separating artistry and therapy. Cargocastle, latest single, “Truth and Reconciliation” is a prime example of this. The one-man project led by Cory Wayne Dell feels less like an artifact polished within a studio, and more like a living breathing document of self-discovery and healing.
“Truth and Reconciliation” is an utterly intimate approach to trauma and recovery, with Dell translating his own experiences with PTSD and childhood abuse into a sprawling five-minute journey of sound and emotion. The track metabolizes it, turning back the pain into something strangely beautiful, with layers of thrumming guitars, atmospheric synths, and a defiant vocal hook.
Drawing from influences as disparate as Devin Townsend’s progressive metal tomes and David Gilmour’s soaring guitar work, the song weaves elements of ambient electronica, post-rock, and even shades of thrash metal into its song.
The first moments are deceptively quiet, as a wash of reverb-drenched guitar chords floats above a bed of ambient synths, giving it an almost meditative feeling. When the chorus does burst forth, what was up till this point a restrained vocal performance erupts with force, riding a wave of guitars and thunderous drums. This juxtaposition between delicate verses and gargantuan choruses gifts the listener with a stunningly visceral experience akin to the peaks and valleys of Dell’s healing journey.
What I love about “Truth and Reconciliation” is that every single note of the production was recorded in Dell’s home studio in Altoona, PA, so there is an organic and unfiltered quality to the entire record that fits perfectly into the subject; it feels so intimate you could be sitting in the room with Dell as he bares his soul. That being said, it doesn’t in any way feel unprofessional, as one might expect from such DIY creations. Rather, every nuance in its mixing is a testament to Dell’s scrupulous attention to detail, down from the perfect rapport in the choreography of the guitars to the synth to those harmonies rising just to add a little nuance to the chorus. The very fact that it was conceived during his PTSD flashbacks only adds to its authenticity; this is music born of need, how Dell processed his hurt and took back control of his narrative.
“Truth and Reconciliation” symbolizes an individual milestone not just as a musician but, even deeper, as a human being. It is his true expression as an artist and a cannonball into the deep end after years of merely dipping his big toe into vulnerable waters. To listeners, it stands as a class reminder of the kind of miracle music can be to connect the unheard, heal, and transform.
Cargocastle may still be a pretty underground project but with releases like this, the time for Dell’s name to start being synonymous with fearless, emotionally charged music is just around the bend. Truth and Reconciliation is a song meant to be felt as much as it is meant to be heard. Go ahead and press play on “Truth and Reconciliation” today on Spotify.