An… interesting… collection of EPs for us to check out this week, let’s put it that way! But still, I’m excited to hear it all, so let’s dive right in!
Bleed the Fifth: Mortal Heart
The Welsh metalcore/melodeath band released their sophomore EP today, and it’s the perfect followup to 2022s World Eater. It’s 22-minutes of heavy awesomeness that I honestly can’t get enough of. From the absolutely incredible riffing to the great drumming to the fantastic screams all throughout the whole release, the band really fire on all cylinders across the whole EP. Then you have cleaner vocals on the early-BFMV-like title track and beautiful intro of the closing track (almost a metalcore ballad), and the band demonstrate an amazing range across such a short release. Plus, the mix on the thing is also awesome, everything shining through perfectly and it all sounding massive. It’s honestly impossible to pick out highlight tracks, as all of them are brilliant and feel so different while still maintaining the bands sound and style.
They’re the perfect mix of Bullet and In Flames that I didn’t know I needed so much more in my life until listening to this. I was a fan of their debut, but this is honestly on a whole next level. I’d check this out if you are in any way a fan of metal music. This will surely be the release to push them to huge new heights, too. I can’t give it any less than top marks, 10/10!
Ashley Walls: YEEDM Vol. 1
Somehow, the country star has been going nearly a decade at this point and this is her first collection of songs, not just a straight single. Granted, it’s a collection of four of her previous singles, but still, it’s a start! I assume the other volumes will be other prior singles building towards a full album collection? I can’t find much about her plans online, but that makes sense, right?
The four tracks themselves were surprisingly unfamiliar to me, but for the most part were okay. It takes the ‘pop-country’ style to a whole new level, almost being more EDM than anything country. So, I did some Googling, and it turns out that is exactly what the term ‘YEEDM’ means. Clearly, I am not very down with the kids, but it does make sense now! It’s also left me in two minds. I completely get putting out something like this; it’s growing in popularity as a style and might as well do it yourself before someone else profits off it. And it. Is genuinely interesting and creative and not a bad listen. But, going back and checking out the original versions of the songs, I can’t help but enjoy them more. The more I listened the more it grew on me, but generally it isn’t my sort of style. I feel like ‘IT’S ON ME’ is my favourite and translates the best to this sort of style. It’s worth checking out if you can stand club music and don’t mind some country, but I won’t hurry back to this release. It’s well written, well recorded and at least interesting. 4.5/10. It’d probably be more like a 6.5 if it was the original versions, though!
Chordoma: Self-Titled
The epitome of old-school death metal encapsulated in one 15-minute, five-track assault. Do you like early Cannibal Corpse? Well then, this is probably for you! If not, may wanna give this a skip. This is a band that certainly know their audience and what they’re about. It’s not my sort of thing, but it’s a decent debut and will certainly find its following and crowd that will love it! I feel like I’d get along with a lot better live than I do on track, but having said that the production on this is surprisingly good. I wouldn’t choose to listen to it, but it isn’t exactly a bad little EP. 5/10
Maison Dieu: Herbacea
The debut EP from the Italian mystic doom rock band makes for a damn interesting listen! The band wear their inspirations, the likes of Chelsea Wolfe and Heilung, very much on their sleeves, but also sound pretty unique in their own right. Every track is awesome and it all flows together perfectly; the theme of ‘the magic of plants’ somehow being perfectly fit and reflected in the sound of the release. It’s not usually my sort of style but I honestly can’t get enough of it. I’ve listened to it twice already today and certainly intend to keep it in my rotation in the coming weeks and months. The band are insanely talented songwriters and players, creating one hell of an atmosphere throughout, making it another release that’s impossible to pick set highlights from. I’d recommend anyone reading this to check it out, you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was and love it as much as I do! It’s a solid 9/10 from us!