January EP Reviews

EP of the Month

Karybdis – War for land

Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Thrash, Hardcore

For Fans of: At The Gates, Unearth,

Standout Track: Strain

Rating: 9.5/10

What karybdis have done here is nothing short of breathtaking. From the open air raid siren call of 'War for Land' to the final fade out of 'Strain' you are deeply captive under their mammoth grooves and harrowing vocal roars.

Having recorded the EP With Tariq Mattar (Megadeth, Iron Maiden) the sound they have achieved is truly epic, sounding like a cross between At The Gates' 'Slaughter of the Soul' and Unearth's 'III In the Eyes of Fire'. This is a text book example of a band that refuses to sell out to mediocrity and this EP will carry them far.

Gallium Jack – Post Autumn

Genre: Alternative Rock

For Fans of: Biffy Clyro, The Pixies, Placebo

Standout Track: Ragnus

Rating: 6.9/10

Gallium Jack say it loud and say it with feeling. This EP acts as a great demonstration of what a relatively new band are capable of on the local scene. Their songs show a great maturity to songwriting and an appreciation for vocal hooks that get lodged deep inside of your brain long after listen.

Chronographs – Outhouse Sessions

Genre: Hardcore, Progressive, Djent

For Fans of: Meshuggah, SiKth, Killswitch Engage

Standout Track: Tides

Rating: 8.5/10

At a time when Metal is shedding it's skin and definition between bands as getting all too hazy with the influx of Meshuggah wannabe's Chronographs show me that I was very wrong. This short but sweet EP proves Chronographs metal credentials with everything falling properly into place with a mix of razor sharp technicality and precision aggression that rips your throat out upon listening. With a UK and European tour currently being organised, watch out as these angry mother fuckers are out on the prowl.

Subservience – Blueprint To Chaos

Genre: Death Metal

For Fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Lamb of God, Carcass

Standout Track: Pathosis

Rating: 7/10

If you have seen Subservience live you will be very aware of how intense their live performance can get. Unfortunately they haven't managed to catch that sound in this recording with some slight distortion in the mix but the content is excellent. From beginning to end this EP is putrid with the essence of Death Metal giving Subservience a big stepping stone forward in tackling some of the South coasts angriest bands.

Prowess - ?

Genre: Alternative

For Fans of: Metallica, Paramore

Standout Track: Broken

Rating: 4/10

The recording here is very rough and my copy almost unplayable making it extremely hard for me to review this properly. But however awkward the guitar tones are or out of time the drum kit is there is some credibility to the music. The songs are well constructed and the female vocals soar to create catchy chorus's but there appears to be a slight paradox on styles. Prowess have tried to take on to much sonically and it has cluttered up their sound. The vocals need to stand out more than the guitar does, it's almost like overdubbing Kelly Clarkson onto a Metallica track.

Kickfist give us a taster of what's to come

Song: Radical Heroism

Genre: Metal, Southern Rock

For Fans of: Pantera, Black Label Society

Rating: 8/10

With some new recordings set to take place in April/May this year, Kickfist give Underground Reviews a taster of what we can expect. A slight change to the Kickfist formula has been applied showing these guys are intent on taking their sound into unchartered territories. The sound is reminiscent of Pantera's 'Cowboys from hell” with the Whiskey slugging debauchery of Black Label Society. “Radical Heroism” parodies what makes their old style great: “singing about greed again”, whilst showing what will continue to make this a band to see in 2011.

*Please note: To have your EP reviewed a hard copy must be given. Get in contact with The Underground Reviews Team at: Undergroundreviews@live.co.uk
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