COLLUSION

Following up their eponymously titled album from last year, Warrington-based innovative metallers return with a four track offering, simply named 'EP1' (although pick any of the track titles on here and surely any would have been apt for a name... there needs to be an EP called 'Biggus Riffus' at some point!). Despite the minimalist titling, there's nothing verging on minimalist about Collusion's music, as those who are already aware of their music will know. Certainly there are passages of minimalist music but these are integrated as part of a bigger, genuinely prog-metal soundscape with four tracks that will be sure to keep you on your listening toes with sonic twists and turns aplenty. Melancholic doomy atmospheres blend with, and, are contraposed against, bursts of aural aggression. And frontman Mike Pilat's dual vocal approach of a clean/growled delivery means he's able to enhance the music's shifting moods efficaciously. Comparisons are perhaps somewhat futile as Collusion's innovative aesthetic is a pretty original one although certain passages with the way the guitars are layered over the basslines do remind me of a doomy Atheist at times... in a very positive way. Perhaps newly recruited guitarist Danny White is partly responsible for this progression. And it all sounds incredible - produced, recorded, mixed and mastered once again by the band's frontman, Mike is a man with an aptitude and ear for exactly how this sort of music should sound. Collusion's latest effort is phenomenal stuff once again but don't expect an 'EP2' at any point as, at the time of writing, the band have unfortunately decided to call it quits following a final ever gig in November. A genuine shame as the world of progressive music has lost one of its most promising of newcomers.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Self-released

EP

EP1

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

23:31

RELEASE DATE:

2012

TRACK LISTING

1) Chronos
2) Seamus
3) Biggus Riffus
4) Stenchoid

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

"...four tracks that will be sure to keep you on your listening toes with sonic twists and turns aplenty."