UK industrial metal three-piece Spawn of Psychosis have been together for over seven years and have three full length releases under their belt as well as live slots opening for heavyweights KMFDM and Mortiis.
This six-track EP (translating as “Devil Year”) is the opening part of a duet of releases that form a response to personal tragedies affecting band members throughout 2016. Lyrically the band is very open about the issues that have befallen them, a theme that runs across this release and helped by the half spoken-word, half-sung delivery of vocalist SPAWN.
Opening up is an intro of ominous synth, tribal drums and growled chanted vocals that sets the scene for the tracks to follow. The first full track, “Coping Mechanism” bursts into life after twenty seconds of atmospheric synth that brings to mind mid-era Fear Factory. Musically it’s less extreme than that stylistic touchpoint but the sound is rooted in industrial territory with some alternative-metal leanings.
“Take Your Meds” romps along at the beginning, double kick aplenty and a killer guitar line with a solo at the midpoint and wall of effects that play well. The following track, “16/91” is a 90-second blitz that owes a debt to Ministry and features slightly rawer vocals, although it is one to avoid if you’re easily offended.
“Ashes 2 Embers” features a solid bit of guitar chug and a propulsive industrial rhythm section with washes of synth playing over the top and is probably the strongest track here, ramping the heavy up a notch or two. EP closer and lengthiest track “Gates to the Snakes” takes the heavy a stage further still, with echo-laden sampled vocals added to the mix of digitised percussive battery, buzzsaw guitar, growled and whispered vocals and the ever-swirling synths. The slow fade out of the track starts with a minute remaining and concludes this short but engaging EP.
Overall a decent release, although a bit more individuality will be necessary to see the band rise above their peers.
7/10 - review by Dave
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