Crÿptic Shift - Dustbowl [EP] [2015]

Leeds based Thrashers, Crÿptic Shift, have gone through a lot of changes over the past few months. With the introduction of a second guitarist, and their original guitarist, Xander Bradley, now taking over vocal duties on top. The changes have marked a turning point not just in the bands line-up, but in musical direction too. With the rather bitter departure of their previous singer, opening up the bands writing style to the Death-Thrash side of the spectrum. One that the band tell me they've been looking to delve in to for a while. And now come the first release to showcase the new style. The Dustbowl EP

Being 'a bit' on the short side, at just two songs, the EP is more of a taster for what's to come from the band in future installments. And it certainly sounds promosing. The first track, and only original, Dustbowl, kicks off proceeding. The track comes in straight from the off with a very groove influenced riff, and maintatins a rather melodic touch throughout the intro, leading way to a more straightforward verse section. The vocal differences are clearly notable here, with the much more deeper undertone of Xanders voice. The style is much more reminiscent of Max Cavallera or Steve Reynolds of Demolition Hammer. The chorus is a much more upbeat affair, with gang vocals gallore filling most of it in. It's an easy one to follow along with, and although not the most original, serves it's purpose well.

The middle section of the track introduces some cool guitar harmonising that were one feature definetely missing from their previous releases, and the solos are all there. My only criticism is looking to keep the rhythm guitar going under them at the start, as although the bass does help keep it going, it does make the sound rather empty without a rhythmn guitar underneath.

Overall the track is a definite one up of previous efforts, and doesn't feel like it overplays riffs like the tracks featuring on The Old Chapel EP. It shows more a creative assertion, and the band starting to find their seet under a new configuration. After seeing them live for the first time in the new form, you can tell they've gelled well, and are more confident on stage as they are. I definetely look forward to seeing what else they produce in the future. Which by the sounds of it, is heavier songs too come.

The EP is finished off by a cover of Sepultura fan favourite, Arise. Not the first nor second I've heard from local bands, but one done with conviction either way. It helps showcase the bands tightness developing with such speedy and precise sections the song demands. And is again another track that fits the new vocal style introduced well.

The best way to really capture the bands new sound at the moment if you're liking the sound of Dustbowl is too catch them live, and there should be plenty of time for that soon. I'll post dates below for those interested, along with links to the bands as always. Get on it!

L-R: Henry Parker (Guitar), Hokumu Blitzkrieg (Bass), Xander Bradley (Guitar/Vocals), Ryan Shepherson (Drums)

February 18th - South Sea Live, Sheffield
April 18th - Snooty Fox, Wakefield (Full Thrash Assault)
May 1st - The Unicorn, London

Crÿptic Shift on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crypticshift
Napalm Promotions on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NapalmPromotions

MWP My Wooden Pillow - Un-comfortable [EP] [2014]

Merging from Manchesters depths comes a band by the name, My Wooden Pillow, often abbreviated to simply MWP, who are newcomers to the cities Death Metal scene. And their debut outing, Un-comfortable, looks to open up the band to a wider audience within the scene. So, how does it fair?

The four track EP kicks in with the catchy track The Line, starting off with a kick ass riff from the get go. Taking time to introduce the music, the song has all the genres calling cards, including crunchy riffs, harsh vocals and crushing drumming. It's also the first introduction to the harsh female vocals, something left still very unexplored in Death Metal. And it's a shame, as the results are rather incredible when done right, just like throughout the EP. The tonality often helping stop the vocals from sounding flat. They're also brought out really well in dual vocal parts, with male backing vocals harmonizing incredibly well, and thickening the sound.



Next in line is Call for War, and the first introduction to a mix of clean vocals in the tracks. The song sounds a lot like a good solid mix of classic European Death Metal, with melodic hints throughout. The blend fairs well, with a catchy chorus leading the way against more gritty, heavy verses. The difference is night and day in parts, but doesn't break up the song too strenuously, and still manages to transisition smoothly.

Decapitalist comes next, and adds some breaks to the tempo of the EP, to make way for softer and less heavy sections. These lead to some great proggressive lead parts, which again help switch up the song in parts. The first verses even have a hint of Black Metal shine through, with legato riffs galore giving a great backbone and rythmn to the track. Dissonant parts in the instrumental sections also add a sense of fear and power to make for an overall well rounded song. Definetely one of the stand out on the EP.

Rounding things off comes the final self titled track, MWP. The song is more of the style the band have shown in the first three tracks of the EP. The song overall seems more straightforward than the tracks it follows, having more of a basic structure and proggression. It's probably one of the few songs that seems to play on someparts a bit too long, but the proggressive nature and change towards the end, featuring the clean vocals and harmoized riff stop if from falling short. There are some strange parts to it however, like the guitar crescendos in the last chorus that can sound a little strange at first. They sound a bit out of place to be honest, but I do like the fact that the band are trying something different in places.

All in all, MWP have definetely set a high standard for themselves from the first release. Introducing some scarce elements like the melodic female vocals, and laying then down with conviction, they've allowed for a lot of expansion to create a signature sound. I have no doubt that if their next release will continue to work on these elements and perfect them, then it will be one of the more defined death metal sounds in the scene. MWP have done a fantastic job putting together the EP, and I'd definetely recommend it to fans of Death Metal looking for something new to try out. Top Job!

MWP L-R: Patrick, Hassan, Michelle, Chris. Photo by Simon Robertshaw.

My Wooden Pillow is:
Michelle - Vocals
Hassan - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Patrick - Bass/Backing Vocals
Chris - Drums

MWP on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Wooden-Pillow-MWP/297525637167
Napalm Promotions on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NapalmPromotions

Insurgency - Death March [EP] [2014]

Death March - Album art by Alice Biddau

Hailing from Lancashires deep reaches, Insurgency are no strangers to the North Wests Thrash scene. Delivering a high intensity style, with no punches pulled. The Lancastrians are currently helping to fill the void left by the many 'cleaner cut' bands in the current generation of Thrash. And following up the bands first official release, Live Insurgency late last year, comes the six track EP Death March.

Featuring seven tracks of the new, old and even a live cover, the EP is a culmination of all of Insurgencys work so far. Kicking straight in with the title track, Deathmarch, the bands overwhelming power and raw aggression shows. With the riffs being delivered like a powerhouse and accelerated to seemingly infinite levels to set the tone for the record early.

Following up comes 'Terror Thrash Totality' and the first song of the bands I've heard of not to be based on their common ground of terrorism and war. It's good to see the band are exploring new topics lyrically, and although not the most original of choices, still helps to add some more diversity to the mix. The song really helps to highlight the bands proficiency at making the most of a three member, single guitar set-up. The track is raw in delivery, and really brings out all elements of the instruments. It's nice to see that the bass is also not neglected in the EP, which is a common sin among most Thrash bands wanting to go for the precise, on point dual guitar sound. Instead the bass is allowed to sing in it's full glory, and provide a real backbone to the overall sound. Especially in parts where it breaks away from following the guitar to provide parts with an extra colour to the sound.

Next up in the firing line is 'Tunguska', an older song of the bands that is brought back in a blaze of glory. Providing a more slower and still ever heavy intro, the song is the first time new listeners will be aware of the bands use of two vocalists rather than one. It's not something often done by a lot of artists, due to the usual blatant difference in voices. But with Andy and Will both able to provide great guteral vocals, it's pulled off rather well. And with one or the other taking the lead on songs, it avoids sounding confusing as both singing on a single song would.

Benghazi comes up next, and another song that's not had it's first outting in the Insurgency arsenal. With the addition of some leads to the track, it still remains as solid and unrelenting as on Live Insurgency. The track is also the first time that the bands use of song blending becomes apparent, as the fade out helps usher in the way for new track, simply named 'Taliban'.



Taliban is probably one of my favourite cuts from the EP, and one that you can listen to right now. It's got all the right ingridients you'd expect from the band; power, speed and aggression. All things they excel at doing. It seems like they've found a formula mixing these main aspects, and certainly don't look to be changing that any time soon. It's something I can definetley applaud the band on as well. Rather than dilute the music to taste, it's a straight shot that get's shit done. It gets the point the across.

Closing out the album is fan favourite, Desert Holocaust, which makes it's third incarnation to date. The band have definetely stepped it up this time round as well. The vocals especially sound a lot more fierce and menacing, and there's more of a finesse in the execution too. A fitting way to finish the EP off.

And for those of you grasping the CD in your hands right now, you may well be aware there's a bonus live track on the end too. A cover of Mayhems Necrolust. The track's one that showcases the bands live power well, and actually sounds top notch for a live recording. If you were ever in doubt about seeing the band live, give it a listen and see what I mean!

Overall, another top release the lads, and one that will keep fans of raw, solid Thrash salivating for a good while yet. If I had to pick one flaw in it though, it would be some small inconsistencies in the production. It's by no means bad, but there are some songs where the guitars can sound a little underwhelming compared to other sections. Most notably this happens in the opening of Benghazi, with the guitar tone sounding rather scratchy, and crunchy. Compared with Desert Holocaust where the tone seems more well rounded and powerful. I'm not too sure if it's just because the former has more focus on the guitars at first, or I'm just hearing it differently or not, but there does seem like a noticeable change in tone between the two.

Apart from that, I'm a huge fan of this release, and admittedly it is one I've been looking forward too for a long while. Insurgency have delivered the aural terrorism once again, and in spectacular style with Death March, and it's an assault I'll be receiving for a long time to come! If you like what you hear, get on to the links below and give this band some support!

Insurgency L-R: Malek, Andrew, Will.

Insurgency is:
Andrew Shackleton - Guitar/Vocals
Will Anderson - Bass/Vocals
Malek Baali - Drums

Insurgency on facebook: www.facebook.com/insurgencythrashuk
Alice Biddau on facebook: www.facebook.com/valiryaevokendieart
Napalm Promotions on facebook: www.facebook.com/NapalmPromotions