Album Review: Drown This Fury - 'Creatures'

2 September 2015 | 3:51 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

Progressive indeed.

More Drown This Fury More Drown This Fury

'Progressive' is a word that is overused to overrate. That's not the case with its application to Radelaide outfit Drown This Fury, however. Rather, 'progressive' is a term that's as apropos as it is complementary. In this context, it simply translates to a description of a band that utilises innovative blends of old and new techniques to an expertly crafted tee.

This EP, titled 'Creatures', is a ferocious exhibition. It kicks off with a brief intro reflective of its title, comprising an anomalously gentle, atmospheric build up that draws parallels to Alcest. Following on is 'With Closed Eyes', a stark contrast. This track ushers in guttural vocals against a backdrop of explorational guitars. It's experimental, with melodic hardcore tinges being hailed in one second and skilful guitar pursuits being achieved the next. Instead of choosing which path to take at the fork in the road, Drown This Fury double back on both. In plain English, they don't compromise one genre for the other, and we'll let you in on a secret: it works pretty goddamn well.

At this point, the EP takes a delightful turn; 'The Wolves and Vultures' throws in cleans alongside crushing drums, which sound typical of a band that names Trivium as an influence. However, you'll be grateful for them when 'Goliath' comes around, primarily for the harmony of clean and unclean vocals that cements itself as a highlight of the release. This fire spitting banger is where progressive becomes a triumphant and applicable descriptor for an unexpectedly enjoyable ride.

The EP goes further on 'The Spark That Starts A War' (a title sounding awkwardly allusive to events like the assassination of Franz Ferdinand) and blends vocals resemblant of spoken-word hardcore with metal, adding variety to an EP that's already stepping forward in terms of musical capacity and willingness. 'Fracture' closes off the album with again, a spoken word influence bleeding in, but also, with verses surprisingly articulated almost rapidly enough to qualify as rap itself. Having said that, there's no poser-referential criticisms to be made; it all sounds authentic, and a 'blegh' balances the song out without turning it into a nightmare.

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'Creatures' is experiential, interesting and fan-winningly impressive. The length of the songs, as it does with much metal, doesn't detract from their engagement, predominantly due to the fact that they minimise repetitiveness and maximise intrigue. Contrary to the suggestion of this band's name, we'd recommend not drowning this fury and instead, paying it a solid listen.

1. Creatures

2. With Closed Eyes

3. The Wolves and Vultures

4. Goliath

5. The Spark That Starts A War

6. Fracture