Horricane - Synthetic Forms EP

Artist: Horricane
Release Title: Synthetic Forms EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Synthetic Forms
2. Starblind
3. Leper Nation
4. Synthetic Forms (Kaspar Torn remix)

The new EP from Estonian death metallers Horricane is a slightly disappointing effort that doesn’t really seem to serve much of a purpose for it’s release. Though obviously continuing on with their style of incorporating mid-tempo polyrhythmic-centered riff-work and atonal pattern changes with the tight drumming alongside the influx of industrial-ish keyboards, this certainly maintains a consistent sound and feel here with their previous work that’s displayed across a lot fewer tracks than usual, which is where this one somewhat falls apart. The fact that this one only has those few select tracks of original work here considering the three original songs and the remix show up here leaves this one with so few chances to really get to shine that it really loses a lot of it’s appeal trapped in the guise of unimportance that makes this seem like a preview of an upcoming album more than a selection of must-hear music from the group. That said, nothing about the final track on here, a useless remix of the title track where uses industrial samples and cuts the vocal tracks over it all should’ve been released as this is not only bland, lifeless and appaling to think it should’ve been heard but the market is completely unclear as to who would’ve requested that to be done to the band in the first place and really makes the whole thing a colossal waste of time and space. Otherwise this isn’t bad as it’s just more of the same played with the same energy and conviction.

For the most part the music here isn’t too much of a problem. The opening title track slowly moves through a churning series of stylish droning riffing with pounding drumming and thunderous mid-tempo rhythms stuttering along to the surging riffing and sprawling patterns coming along into the plodding industrial waves running along through the final half for a decidedly-decent offering. ‘Starblind’ takes a steady, thumping mid-tempo polyrhythmic riffing style and plodding tempos with djent-flavored chugging holding the simplistic and one-dimensional pace throughout with the haunting keyboards slugging through the bland rhythms into the finale for another enjoyable take on this style. ‘Leper Nation’ takes stylish mid-tempo chugging alongside tight drumming pounding along at a steady, mid-tempo pace churning with plenty of thumping rhythms carrying the energetic rhythms along through the polyrhythmic leads leading to a bit of energetic riffing running along through the frantic final half for the album’s best track overall. Lastly, the Kaspar Torn remix of the title track focuses on industrial sounds over plodding rhythms as the vocal lines get carried over from the previous track while the clashing, atonal rhythms and ugly industrial sounds continue on through the finale for an utterly atrocious effort that has no business being here as it leads this with an utterly ugly lasting impression.

Though there’s one major misstep here in the way this one ends up, it’s still a fun enough example of this style that there’s a lot to like here for both fans of this droning style of death metal or themselves so long as the album’s flaws are taken into extreme consideration before listening.

Score: 55/100

Does it sound good? Order from here:
http://horricane.bandcamp.com/album/synthetic-forms

Tankist - Be Offended EP

Artist: Tankist
Release Title: Be Offended EP
Year: 2015
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Politically Incorrect
2. Mortuary
3. Deadeye
4. At the Gate
5. God Delusion
6. Sinister 6

The new EP from Estonian thrashers Tankist is a somewhat enjoyable and appealing effort if not exactly a stand-out piece of thrash metal for the most part. Based around lively, mid-tempo riffing with a heavy, thumping drum-based backbone, by-and-large this one comes off rather nicely here without really generating much else along the way here as the majority of the tracks simply plod along at overall pretty bland arrangements. It does manage to get to a few rather engaging elements along the way here when the band picks up the tempo and delivers some fire in their work, but for the most part the group isn’t too concerned with the bigger rhythms or even attempting to go for the revivalist school of arranging which keeps the work far too slow and plodding to really get going out of second gear.  Along with the light production that manages to keep this one feeling a little too muddied and one-dimensional by keeping the instruments way too jumbled together to really stick out further, it’s got some decent elements but has some pretty big flaws to it.

The tracks here aren’t all that bad and do have some enjoyable features here. Opener ‘Politically Incorrect’ slowly weaves a droning riff into a thumping, thrashing mid-tempo charge dripping with fiery rhythms as the start/stop patterns continually churn through the mid-tempo melodies throughout with the driving solo section leading into the finale for a fine opening effort. ‘Mortuary’ offers a droning bass-intro which turns into a galloping mid-tempo plod with a kick into fine mid-tempo riffing and pounding drumming with a dynamic and engaging series of rhythms through the lively solo section and carrying through the final half for a mostly bland effort with one real appealing section. ‘Deadeye’ features a strong series of swirling riffing with a strong series of thumping drumming running through the sprawling patterns as the mid section with a strong series of lively, energetic riff-work swarming through the solo section and on through the finale for for another rather disappointing effort.‘At the Gate’ uses immediate thumping and tight riffing alongside dynamic drumming and rather frantic patterns that continually charge along through the lively mid-tempo series of rhythms through the solo section and continuing for the final half for easily the best track here. ‘God Delusion’ features a charging build-up to a solid mid-tempo riff with galloping drumming that winds through a series of plodding start/stop rhythms plodding along with plenty of fiery and lively riff-work carrying through the solo section and on through the finale for another enjoyable effort. Lastly, ‘Sinister 6’ uses a slow-building series of choppy drumming and charging riff-work to settle in a plodding pace with flashes of lively rhythms throughout while generating far more engaging and dynamic riffing through an extended thrashing section holding through the final half for a slightly disappointing lasting note.

Though there’s certainly moments throughout here where the band is certainly onto something in their sound, it’s mostly surrounded by bland, plodding material keeping it down for the most part and really only leaving this one for the least discerning thrash fanatics or those who prefer something outside the normal revival acts populating the scene.

Score: 68/100

Does it sound good? Order from here:

http://tankist.bandcamp.com/album/be-offended