To Kill Achilles - Anywhere But Here

Scottish metalcore quintet To Kill Achilles have been quiet for a while. But they aren't going to be quiet for much longer. Formerly a sextet, they've undergone a small line up change, with Mark Tindal putting his keyboard to one side to take up lead vocal duties and Kieran Smith stepping in as their full time drummer. The guys have toured the UK and Europe extensively over the last few years, touring with bands such as I Killed The Prom Queen and The Browning, developing a loyal fan base along the way. That fan base is craving new music. In October, that new music will be available in the form of EP Anywhere But Here, containing 6 tasty slices of heavy groove laden gold.

This EP is nothing short of impressive. A full frontal assault of riffs and chugs, littered with decorative and tasteful synth and ferocious heartfelt vocals. They've picked up exactly where they left off with Existence a few years ago, only in that time they've got angrier. They've got way, way angrier. "Make Them Suffer" is an onslaught of aggression, and a definitive statement that they're back stronger than ever. The guitars and bass race through a maze of dark and chuggy passages, whilst the vocals spit pure venom at anyone in earshot. The breakdowns are a great balance of catchy and unpredictable, giving you the desire to bang your head but never really knowing what's about to happen next. This is also evident in title track "Anywhere But Here", which almost folded me in half when the first breakdown kicked in. It's a real white knuckle ride, changing the pace and vibe throughout, eventually bursting into an epic outro, complete with a tasteful reverb soaked lead.

"These Days" is everything you'd expect to hear from a To Kill Achilles track, and sounds like something that (if it was in a higher tuning) would've slotted onto Existence with ease. The breakdowns almost act as a hook in the song, spaced apart by grand chords married with atmospheric synths. Sounding just as epic, "Halved Hearts" is a passionate and pulsing monster of a song, toying with rises and falls in the dynamics and keeping you on the edge of your seat. The middle section reminded me of Architects, stripping back all of the aggression to allow the bass to drive the song along whilst the guitars take a backseat and create some pretty audio scenery. The stand out track for me, though, is the recent single "Chapter", an emotionally driven powerhouse about Tindal's father. The music is both punishing and beautiful in equal measure, and the lyrics are truly heartbreaking in places, delivered with real pain and anguish. All in all, this EP is an absolute corker, and puts To Kill Achilles firmly back at the top of their game.

This EP is the first thing To Kill Achilles have released since 2015's single "You Live On In Me", and the first full length since 2013. What a way to burst back onto the scene. The instruments are all more refined and intricate than they have been previously, especially the drums which are more technical than they've ever been before; they've upped their game in every conceivable way. They've always had a The Devil Wears Prada kind of vibe about them, and that is definitely audible throughout Anywhere But Here. But it's also obvious that they've found their identity. This is a clear evolution from where they were before, and if they keep treading this path, the only way is up. 

To Kill Achilles embark on a UK tour on October 5th in support of the release of this EP. All the details can be found on their Facebook page. These guys are incredible live, and I highly recommend you get to a show if they're playing anywhere near you. You won't regret it.

D.S

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