SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS : THOUSAND YEAR WAR
Unsigned
Shadow of the Colossus are an Alaskan extreme metal band, who have been labouring these past few months on their debut declaration of hostilities, the EP “Thousand Year War”. SotC don’t stoop to defining their sound under any one label, and neither should you; there’s an extremely tasty combination of metallic ingredients bubbling away under the surface of this punchy, well-crafted release, for which the audience should be broad and enthusiastic.
One reference that instantly springs to mind is Amon Amarth; on “Spartacus” and the stand-out “No Gods, No Masters” there is an awesome rolling, stomping rhythm that easily evokes the most recent battle-charges of Sweden’s favourite Viking sons. Indeed, “Thousand Year War” is prodigiously energetic, with the thrashy tinge that colours the death metal rollick of the riff work adding exuberance and aggression. Although the guitar tone is not especially rich, some of the riffs on offer here are a cut above the normal standard, and when paired with the competent, raw death metal vocals give the impression of a band that definitely knows how to build around its strengths.
That’s not to suggest that SotC have gone down a predictable route; “Of Tyrants and Men” exercises a more technical, modern angle, with, if not proper breakdowns, at least some switches and twitches that add great interest. “No Gods, No Masters” opens out into a more epic atmosphere, which allows Mortaeus and Hiram more space to explore some more variable guitar melodies. There isn’t a sense of a pagan black metal or a melodic death metal template being followed; rather, SotC’s proficient song structuring suggests they’ve gone with what felt good for them… and that feels good for the listener, too.
“Thousand Year War” succeeds very much in the aims of a debut short-player; it sets out a short but memorable programme of what the band can do, but also hints at greater potential, and definitely grabs the attention. The guitar work is impressive, as is the propensity to string together catchy yet still rather ferocious movements, which create an epic, heroic kind of atmosphere but remain sensibly grounded by their own modernity and bite. A very solid effort, and a promise for the future.
79/100
ELLEN SIMPSON
