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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Mastodon - Cold Dark Place

If metal is your cup of tea and you have ears that have been functioning well over the last 15 years or so, the chances are pretty high that you know who Mastodon are. The 4 piece, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, have been going from strength to strength ever since the release of their debut Remission in 2002, managing to find their identity very early on and set themselves apart from the pack. They've become one of those bands where if you hear one of their riffs or licks, you know it's Mastodon. Over the course of their career, they've written songs about a giant whale, mythical creatures, deadly monsters, astral travel and desert survival. Written during the recording sessions for their last 2 albums, Cold Dark Place adds another concept to their arsenal, but contains a very personal twist. The cold dark place is Brent Hinds head and heart, and the EP is about "the concept of living and how much it hurts to f*cking be alive".

This EP was entirely written by Hinds, and musically it's quite clear that he's at the very core of the Mastodon writing process. He has a knack for writing really beautiful yet haunting passages, and this is immediately noticeable on EP opener "North Side Star". The songs features a 13 string pedal steel guitar, an instrument that's notoriously difficult to master (unless you're Brent Hinds, apparently). It adds real depth to the atmosphere of the track, setting the tone for what's about to happen before the vocals even have chance to kick in. The vocal melodies are tasteful and are just as eerie as the music sitting behind it, creeping through dark passages before launching into an uptempo, lighter feeling section, littered with a number of impressive licks and solos. One of the most impressive things about Mastodon is their ability to play around with different styles of music without making anything sound out of place, something they display in "Blue Walsh". The song tip toes through an almost ballad like feel at first, with the vocals of Brann Dailor (drums) echoing out over the delicate guitars. Roughly halfway through, it explodes into a southern sounding, almost bluegrass influenced lick, followed by Hinds blaring out the lyrics "Time has caught up with me, taking all my energy". "Toe To Toes" is the shortest song on the album, and is also probably the catchiest too. The pace is easy to nod your head to, and contains some blinding riffs that are easy to bang your head to. The vocal melodies are also hook laden and memorable, and compliment the chord progressions developing beneath them. Closer "Cold Dark Place" sways through a variety of different vibes, painting a very honest and harrowing picture of Hinds' mind. The 3/4 swing tempo gives the song an almost lullaby like feel in places, making the lighter sections sound calming and bright, while the darker sections sound sombre and stirring. The solo is an expressive and emotive slice of brilliance too, bringing an epic close to the EP. 

I read in an issue of Total Guitar once that they were in search of "the perfect riff". Going off the strength of all their albums, I'd say they're going to keep hammering out scorchers until they find it. This EP is no exception to that statement. The way they navigate through songs is second to none. Travelling down a number of different routes and exploring so many different territories, they never feel like they're racing through sections. It's like they drift through, taking their time to admire the scenery before progressing. Cold Dark Place is a beautiful, tasteful and passionate look into one mans mind and his internal battles, and is a must listen for any fans of the band and the genre. 

D.S

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