Survivalist – VII
Survivalist – VII
Self-Released
Release Date: 04/03/22
Running Time: 28.50
Review by Beth Jones
8/10
There is no better way to start an album than with mournful piano over a backdrop of the sea lapping the shore – change my mind! And that’s exactly what Northern Ireland’s Survivalist have done on their debut release, “VII.” Now, these guys were a completely new name on me when their album dropped into the queue, and as I like to do with new emerging acts who take the time to send us stuff, I gave it a spin. And I was impressed!
Formed in 2019, they play Groovy Metalcore / Djent, and they do it bloody well. It’s got Progressive elements to it too, which gives it an added technicality and freshness. It feels exciting, and I really like it! Researching these guys on the tinterweb thingy, I’ve discovered they’ve just joined Earache Records, which is testament to what a great sound they make.
This record is about as solid as it gets for a debut album, which is mighty impressive. The mixing and mastering are handled superbly, and the musicianship of each member is brilliant. Their drummer particularly impressed me with his thunderous double bass and shotgun snare, delivered with absolute clarity and precision. But then so is everything. Honestly, this sounds like an album that’s bounced of the back of at least a couple of others, from a band far more seasoned than these guys are.
There are a couple of stand out tracks for me her. Firstly, Track 2 ‘End On Lust’. It’s full of brutal drumming and guttural roars, which make you bang your head. I don’t care how old you are, or whether you’re doing a sponsored sit still like a statue, if this comes on you are going to move! It’s also got a hellishly catchy melody hook in the chorus, which is now my earworm.
The other is the penultimate track, ‘With Wrath’ which packs a punch right from the get go, and continues with solid, pounding rhythms and riffs throughout, and everything is so precisely timed, which gives it an extra polish.
This is exciting. I mean really very exciting. This genre is flooded with a lot of the same right now, so to be noticed, you have to be different, and Survivalist are certainly achieving that. Well done chaps. I look forward to the next chapter!
TRACKLISTING:
1. In Which I Envy
2. End On Lust
3. Greed And Obsession
4. Pride Brings Ruination
5. The Gluttony Of A God
6. With Wrath
7. Of Mindfulness And Sloth
LINKS:
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