Cost: 99¢
Opener "Slaughterhouse" initially seemed like some sort of modern thrash, but I began to suspect something was up with some of the rockish elements and the melancholy clean section (which is admittedly well done). Then the Hetfield vocal mannerisms really increased for the next two songs, which are groovier metal/rock hybrids obviously influenced by the s/t (and later) Metallica. The last track is built around a much longer stretch of the moody melancholic stuff.
While they avoid the common pitfalls of djent/-core sounds, there's a certain modernity and lack of heaviness here I find off-putting. The thrashy parts that are here are pretty unfulfilling, and the songwriting isn't nearly as memorable as the later Metallica they were influenced by (or for that matter, most of the bands that followed suit in the wake of the black album). This makes the inclusion of the more modern and rock elements here frustrating, as if the music has been intentionally watered down and neutered for nothing. While the songs are quite varied, it still feels very tedious at times for a 20 min. EP.
The booklet has a hyperbole-ridden quote from a fairly well known nerdy '80s rock journalist, and despite the clear influences, I'd say it's pretty laughable to even infer that Relicseed could be "the best Metallica inspired band in the world." Actually, this could have been interesting and potentially Katatonia-like if they had focused and expanded on the somber sections in the first and last tracks.
While they avoid the common pitfalls of djent/-core sounds, there's a certain modernity and lack of heaviness here I find off-putting. The thrashy parts that are here are pretty unfulfilling, and the songwriting isn't nearly as memorable as the later Metallica they were influenced by (or for that matter, most of the bands that followed suit in the wake of the black album). This makes the inclusion of the more modern and rock elements here frustrating, as if the music has been intentionally watered down and neutered for nothing. While the songs are quite varied, it still feels very tedious at times for a 20 min. EP.
The booklet has a hyperbole-ridden quote from a fairly well known nerdy '80s rock journalist, and despite the clear influences, I'd say it's pretty laughable to even infer that Relicseed could be "the best Metallica inspired band in the world." Actually, this could have been interesting and potentially Katatonia-like if they had focused and expanded on the somber sections in the first and last tracks.
