Another entry into our new series sees three awesome, widely different EPs all being released on Friday. From death metal to country, join us as we check out some awesome new music!
Renegade Angel: Jokesters
The Finnish heavy/power metal band are set to follow up 2022’s Dawn of Justice with the release of their second EP on Friday. Samuli Federley once again leads the charge with his insane guitar talents, and is again fronted by Tailgunner vocalist Craig Cairns. At just two original tracks and a cover (as well as two alt versions), it is simply not enough new music from the awesome band! However, there is no denying how good of a release it is. Single ‘Jokesters’ is a fantastic track that feels like the perfect combination of modern technical power metal powerhouse like Dragonforce and Beast in Black. And that chorus, damn, it’s massive and is going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day, guaranteed. Meanwhile ‘Soldiers of Misfortune’ gives off more of an early Iron Maiden vibe, which I also love just as much! And of course we get an awesome, heavier rendition of Meat Loaf’s anthemic ‘Razor’s Edge’. The duelling vocals on it sound awesome and while covers of Loaf always sound fantastic, the heaviness and epicness added to this one is amazing!
This is essential listening for any fans of metal, power or otherwise. I am desperate to hear more music from the band, and I truly think they’d jump up a few levels if they were to release an album soon. For now though, this EP is great, and has prompted me to go back and check out their older stuff. The band certainly have a new fan in me! 8/10
Once Upon the End: Archive 200
Some melodeath next from Paris, a city that for some reason I don’t typically associate with heavier metal. However, I certainly will after listening to this; it’s an awesome release! It’s lighter than a lot of it’s counterparts in the genre, but that’s certainly not a bad thing. It shares riff-stylings with metalcore, yet also has plenty of parts where Children of Bodom or In Flames inspiration shines through. Heck, it even has clean vocals, something I wasn’t expecting heading into this but loved; it fit perfectly. Having said that there, there is still plenty of heaviness throughout the EP, and some truly awesome screams.
It’s a collection of four incredible original tracks that seem to draw from all corners of the European metal sound. From the more radio-friendly, NWOBHM inspired opener through the almost black metal-infused ‘We are the Dead’ and to the doom-esque ‘The Old Ones’. All four songs are amazing, and it’s so hard to pick highlights as they are all so different. It’s the band’s first new music in two-and-a-half years since their debut album, and it follows on from that release brilliantly. Spinning the tale of humanities last days, it’s almost a concept EP, and one that I shall be listening to a whole lot moving forwards. It was over far too soon and I cannot wait for another longer release, but damn, this seems certain to push the band as pretty major players in the death metal scene moving forward! 9/10
Blanco Brown: Heartache & Lemonade
Last but certainly not least, we have some country from Grammy nominated vocalist and producer Blanco Brown. I have to admit his was not a name I was familiar with before now but damn, he’s certainly gained at least one new fan from this release. It’s chilled-out, stripped-back country/Americana with enough of a pop hook in the vocals to make it all hugely catchy and will do very well with a wide audience. Speaking of the vocals, Blanco’s impressive range and emotional delivery was certainly the highlight of the whole EP. whether it’s the more simple opener to the more blues rock-oriented ‘Good as it Gets’, his versatility and writing is amazing. And, much like every EP on this article, there really a bad track on it. Each track had enough variation to keep me interested through the short release, and will certainly have me coming back for further listens in the future. Hopefully this is the year we get a new album from him after half a decade, but if not, this is still an incredible listen, and a must for any country fan! 8.5/10