Die Ego – 74 Days Staring at the Void EP
Die Ego – 74 Days Staring at the Void EP
Self-Released
Release Date: 31/03/23
Running Time: 23:24
Review by Paul Hutchings
7/10
They’ve been around for the best part of a decade, releasing their debut album “Culto” in 2020. The London based trio now bring us six tracks of pounding aggression and thick, chunky riffage courtesy of this EP, “74 Days starting at the Void”.
It’s high on intensity, reminiscent of High on Fire in terms of power and frenetic energy, with Gabe Scapigliati’s gravel-soaked throaty roar combining with a piercing range that defies any one genre. The overall message is delivered through punishing riffs and crashing rhythms which at times threaten to erupt from the speakers, such is the force that the power trio conjures.
Despite the odd harmonious interlude, such as the finale of ‘Consumed by Mediocrity’, it’s the abusive and explosive delivery which is the key weapon in Die Ego’s arsenal, which they use with simple yet devastating effect. There’s not one track that relents in traditional metal style. There’s the sheer velocity of ‘The Serpent Bearer’ which opens the EP, a track which states early in the proceedings that Die Ego mean business. It’s nasty, savage, snarling.
The tempo rarely drops, with the sludgy crawling opening of ‘Sons of Devotion’ giving way to some maniacal, bruising speed that temporarily slows before driving forward with a visceral edge. It’s symbolic of the whole EP – the thickness of the riffs dominates in a way that’s essential.
If you’re looking for influences, then there is everything in a boiling cauldron of aggression. There are bits of Metallica, slices of Pantera as well as more measured, controlled music in the style of Alice in Chains, and the ever-ready threat of some loose chaos ala Slipknot. The gnarly ‘I Think Therefore I Hate’ is followed by an instrumental interlude in the title track before the final avalanche of riffage cascades with the brutality of ‘The Executioner’. This rounds off an EP of such frantic ferocity that one really needs a lie down after it.
With a quality production and some trippy artwork, “74 Days staring at the Void” is one thrilling, angry, yet welcome EP.
TRACKLISTING:
01. The Serpent Bearer
02. Consumed by Medicrity
03. Sons of Devotion
04. I Think Therefore I Hate
05. 74 Days staring at the Void
06. The Executioner
LINE-UP:
Diego Fardel -Lead Guitar
Gabe Scapigliati – Vocals and Bass
Edoardo Mariotti -Drums
LINKS:
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