I choose violence ep review
- Kirsty Shepherd
- May 5
- 4 min read
do you want to circle pit? I choose violence have you covered in their ep, 'war of the damned'. The six song ep, released last week, hits hard out of the gate and will have you reeling from start to finish.
I honestly was listening to this in shock, wondering how it is only the bands second release. the Adelaide (Kaurna Country), south Australian band deliver "a powerful blend of Harcore, death metal and black metal; with
elements of progressive-metal and industrial, culminating into the extreme force that is ICV" - spotify in a way that makes it hard to believe that they are new to the scene, with only 2600 monthly listeners.
"War of the damned" starts off with 'Death March'. the song begins perfectly with marching band drums and the classic chugga chugga deathcore style guitars before rapidly spinning you into an onslaught of vocal techniques from singer Michael. as the song moves through it shifts to a stomping breakdown and you hear drum fills galore from rory. Michael has an impressive vocal range from solid mids and lows to highs that are reminiscent of Trevor strnad. "unto nothingness".
from there you are thrown immediately into 'claymore'. if you want a fast paced circle pit song, you have found it. the song is unrelenting from the very beginning and gives very little room for relief. guitarists Jake, dylan and Cameron get more time to shine throughout this song. they keep the energy high and chaotic, with a guitar solo, melodic scaling and ruthless rhythm throughout the 3 minute and 25 second song. rory shows amazing skill in this song; the first time I listened to 'claymore' I sat thinking "you could tell me this was Austin archy and I wouldn't even bat an eye". the song ends on an errie distorted hand radio conversation pronouncing "make 100% certain it's a clean grab, then kill them".
with no room to breathe you are thrust into 'human effigy'. if you like progressive and
technical death metal this is definitely meant for you. the melodic and unnerving undertone of the guitar throughout this song had me on edge. Michael shows an impressive range of vocal techniques throughout this piece, from angelic high notes to devastating face melting lows and everything in between. the twists and turns as you move through 'human effigy' almost make it feel like you are on a roller coaster, lacking control and thrown from side to side on the ride of your life. "We've become a blight that plagues the very land. A virus eight billion strong, our ceaseless discharge knows no limits".
from there i choose violence drags you by the ear into the title song 'war of the damned'. for want of a better word this is the "bro anthem" of the ep. this song has all the classics of a metal song; chunky guitars, angry screamable lyrics "what the f**k was I to do", drum fills, rolling triplets, a heavy bass line, a chantable chorus and a stomp worthy beat. Michael keeps his vocals in the middle register for most of the song, occasionally slipping into lows, which keeps you in the space of frustration and rage. "why can't you f**king see, that this is it for me, there's nothing left for me HERE BUT AGONY".
if a song was ever created to bring on the most chaotic circle pit you have ever been a part of, it is 'dragged across concrete' featuring SIDNEY PAECH OF ecdysis. off the bat you are met with a wall of heavy guitars, triplets and Michael screaming in your face. the tempo slows ever so mildly in a small instrumental section before changing again into something akin to cradle of filth or the black dahlia murder. the tonne shifts a final time to something rabid, before finally ending on the haunting sound of whirring wind and the whistling of a man. "I've had plenty of time to contemplate death's design And what I'd do if the hands of a killer were mine"
finishing off the ep you will find yourself listening to my personal favourite, 'where trees mark your grave'. hitting hard from the off you are bounced from rope to rope with no leeway. I choose violence let all members stand out in such a fluid way throughout This song. you take a shift at the 1 minute 55 second mark that draws you in like something designed by whitechapel. the use of low and seemingly innocuous vocals throughout the piece have you in a false sense of security and ease as you fall into the music, before you are thrown for a final time in the last heavy hitting moments. "Mother, Please forgive me for what I'm about to do. I know that it's unfair but it's something that I must do. especially after all that we have been through. It's not a choice I've made lightly. I'll always love you".
I personally am extremely excited to see where I choose violence is going if this is the level they are at the beginning of their career. i appreciate throughout this ep, that you aren't listening to the same song six times, just with different lyrics. while the songs all sound like i choose violence, they are stand out individual songs.
for Fans of: knocked loose, carnifex, the black dahlia murder, I am, young and in the way, Behemoth, Incendiary, Ingested, Revocation.
RATING: 9 / 10
