MYTHOS - VITRIARCH EP REVIEW

Who doesn’t love a concept album? VITRIARCH do too, their latest EP MYTHOS bases itself in the divinity of gods, and cultural concepts, though they leave it all open enough for interpretation. Based out of Canberra and previously known as TSUNAMI PUNCHER, VITRIARCH define progressive metalcore, and have worked with the likes of Clint Boge (THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT) and 301 Studios to bring their debut to the table. 

MYTHOS is dynamic FROM TRACK TO TRACK, utilising stripped back elements combined with loud, slamming guitars to create space or aggressive harsh and sweet clean vocals to build harmony in sound and emotion. We open with the lowkey and atmospheric ‘Acheron’ before a seamless transition into the true opener, ‘Kharon’. The desolate feeling of ‘Acheron’ carries straight into it, through the snappy guitars and harsh vocals. Immediately the vocals stand out as being unique, the aggression and edge tie all the other elements together. This track is powerful, the guitars guiding the song along to the drum fill just after the half way mark, before they build up and down in a way that has an epic presence, creating a new groove for the outro. Though ‘Kharon’ speaks strongly to the concepts of deities, it explores themes of death and afterlife which ties thematically tight to the type of music VITRIARCH play.

i've already written up a review for the next track, 'BLOOD LUST', that you can check out here!!

‘Mithra’ side steps into the chorus with a cleaner sound and dropping the pace, so it encapsulates a feeling of mourning. Songs like these help EPs/albums step up and down, so it doesn't feel too stagnent. 'mithra' still maintains the aggressive and advancing pace through the verses, and it stands out as being the best guitar work on the EP so far. Not the most technical, but the phrasing, riffs and licks really drive the sound along and results in well placed rises and falls.

My only GRIPE with MYTHOS is the harsh vocals tend to sit better in the mix. The clean vocals also have some kind of treatment on them, an intentional EQ effect, or it has been de-essed too far and has taken the needed crispness out of them. With that being said, VITRIARCH have set the standard, and end the EP with their strongest songs. 

‘Mikaboshi’ is easily a favourite. The low, nearly growled, spoken word sections remind me of something from a SHINING album, unique in the metalcore space. It still has moments of intensity, with driving beats that would be any mosh pit’s dream, and gang vocals, though the “back to back to me” lines has me on a hook. ‘Mokaboshi’ spends some time stripped back, with dancing guitar riffs, or ambient drums, creating a beautiful contrast to so much of the EP.

Fellow HOT AND HEAVY journalist, Zara, wrote a review for ‘R’LYEH’ that you can read HERE!!

It feels almost criminal to have ‘Pharaoh’s Grin’ at the end of the EP, the introduction of female vocals does WONDERS for the feel of the song. It still has its moments of aggression, the female vocals add another layer of dimension to the sound, especially when paired with the harsh vocals. I’m torn between wishing she was present in more songs across the EP because it brought so much to the table, and being happy that the magic was contained to one song - a phenomenal closing song to MYTHOS.

If VITRIARCH have proved anything with MYTHOS, it’s that they’ve read and understood the assignment and have what it takes to become a defining band in their scene. I’d personally love to see them explore what they’ve done with ‘MIKABOSHI’ and ‘PHARAOH’S GRIN’, but I think continuing to follow their nose on this trail will lead them to success.

keep tabs on vitriarch to see what they are going to do next!!

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