Circle Takes the Square

Circle Takes the Square (CTTS) is a foundational pillar of the 'real screamo' or 'skramz' movement, emerging from Savannah, Georgia in the early 2000s. Their sound identity is defined by a 'maximalist screamo' approach, characterized by extremely complex, non-linear song structures that incorporate elements of progressive rock, grindcore, and post-punk.

The band's most distinctive feature is the dual-vocal interplay between Drew Speziale and Kathy Coppola, whose voices often function as rhythmic instruments, utilizing a call-and-response style that adds to the music's sense of urgency and narrative depth. Their 2004 album, 'As the Roots Undo', is widely considered one of the most important and influential records in the history of the genre, praised for its technicality and its cryptic, nature-focused, and mythological lyrical themes. After an eight-year hiatus, they returned with 'Decompositions: Volume Number One', which further leaned into progressive and experimental territories. Critically, they are viewed as pioneers who elevated screamo from a subcultural niche into a sophisticated, avant-garde art form, influencing a generation of technical hardcore and post-metal bands.