Apate Aren't Shit Anymore, Drop Banging New Single 'Split'

Join me in my new-found admiration of Apate and rejoice!

I take no pleasure in disliking bands (well, no, that's not exclusively true, as you'll note in some of my reviews), and one band I always wished I could genuinely enjoy was Brisbane's Apate. Their 'Pandora's Box' EP was more rough around the edges than Footscray, and 'Purgatory' left me rather cold (that music video is just awkward to watch) and while I didn't mind their previous song 'Spit You Out', I wasn't that keen on it. So yes, I always felt this band was, to put it bluntly, a bit shit.

However, today is the day that all of that changes with the quintet's ripper of a new track, 'Split' being released. Of course, I don't suddenly think that Apate are now the best goddamn band of all time, but they've severely upped their mosh-worthy game here! For whatever it's worth, they've won me over.

With bouncy, low-tuned riffs, gnarly breakdowns, a great sense of flow and groove, and with strong beatdown-meets-nu-metal vocals, Apate tick all of the boxes for the go-to heavy sound of 2017, but they do it all well. Better than they ever have in the past, admittedly. Much like American underdogs, My Ticket Home, these Aussies make more than a few nods to 90's and 2000's nu-metal and grunge - showing off their influences clearly and moulding them with far heavier musical moments.

Their forthcoming second EP 'Spit You Out' is set to explore the dark depths and very real, very hard times that everyone goes through at various points in their life. Each of the EP's seven songs will take the listener on a different path of emotional distress and personal hell. The lyrics are drawn from first hand and personal experiences that members of Apate have either been in, been around during or have endured and seen affect both themselves and those around them. Despite the emotionally confronting nature of the EP, this isn't meant to be a bragging rights game nor a shock-factor; it acts as an incentive tool for anyone listening to let them know that no matter how shit they feel, what trauma they've been through or are going through at the time, they're never alone and that there is help available.

Apate guitarist Caleb Patch, wants people to know how close this release is to their collective hearts and that their effort and passion is definitely evident in their new EP, saying "'Spit You Out' is Lyrically and Instrumentally our most in depth release to date. This record is our everything. It was written and recorded from a place of raw emotion. It's 2 years of our time, energy, emotion, blood, sweat and tears compiles into 7 tracks; 19 minutes of audio".

The band's forthcoming EP was engineered and recorded by Dan Field at Skull and Bones Records, was mixed and mastered by Cody Stewart at Reforce Media (the production is just so much tighter here), with the EP's artwork coming from Drömsjel and the music video for 'Split' being directed by Sam Peina of Cracked Teeth Media. 'Spit You Out' will drop on Friday, August 25th. 

RIYL Spite, Alpha Wolf, The Gloom In The Corner, riffs, and moshing.

Apate will be hitting the road in August and September in support of their hectic new EP, touring with their equally heavy buddies in Scourge and Vaela. Dates below!

Friday, August 25 - Chatswood Youth Centre - Sydney NSW - ALL AGES

Saturday, August 26 - Wrangler Studios - Melbourne VIC - ALL AGES

Sunday, August 27 - The Producers Bar - Adelaide SA - ALL AGES

Friday, September 1 - The Brightside - Brisbane QLD - 18+

Saturday, September 2 - The Space, Northlakes - Brisbane QLD - ALL AGES