MITHRAS
With two new tracks and three live tracks (two from their first album, 2002’s ‘Forever Advancing… Legions’ and the third from their last album, 2004’s ‘Worlds Beyond The Veil’), this EP stands simultaneously as a measurement of the past, a representation of the present, and an indication of Mithras’ future. Taken chronologically, ‘Time Never Lasts’ shows a band whose identity was firmly established from very early on in their musical career. ‘Tomb of Kings’, with its chaotic guitar intro, pinch harmonic-laden riffs, and time changes aplenty still stands as an impressive track, particularly the lead work that collapses into a blistering coda. The anthem that is ‘Wrath of God’ has a slower tempo but is no less devastating, the double kick-work giving it the density of an unmatched might. The atmospheric ‘Beyond The Eyes of Man’ has all the force of the early tracks, the lead work bearing a prog feel to the lines, and the ambience of the middle section is chilling. And as a live band, Mithras’ sound is tight and focussed. They are undeniably capable of not just writing intense and intelligent extreme metal, but of delivering it with the kind of sheer ferocity that it deserves.
Mithras’ strengths as represented in the live tracks are carried through into the new tracks. The title track has the signature time changes and masterful riffs backed by drum lines designed to obliterate, giving Coss’s vocals a firm foundation to belt out their wrath from. Rhythmic variations are in abundance, as are twisting melodic lines, spacey, other-worldly atmospheres, and searing riffs, making the future of Mithras more than an intriguing prospect. As if the title track isn’t enough to beguile the listener, the eerie intro to ‘Inside The Godmind’ and the ensuing barrage of bass-driven riffs and spacey guitar lines certainly will. The bass sound is phenomenal, the balance of the bite and the low end both cutting through and fortifying the band’s colossal sound. The guitar draws from a vast palette, colouring the textures with reverberating, delayed ethers, the riffs are monstrous, and the lead work is remarkable. And Coss’s vocal tone and timbre is more than suited to the lyrics and the overall aesthetic almost to the point of being the lead force were it not that the band work as an accomplished and unified whole. Bar the fact that there are only two new tracks, there is little to fault here. The live tracks are great and the new tracks even better, but we want more. That next album had best appear soon.
Mithras’ strengths as represented in the live tracks are carried through into the new tracks. The title track has the signature time changes and masterful riffs backed by drum lines designed to obliterate, giving Coss’s vocals a firm foundation to belt out their wrath from. Rhythmic variations are in abundance, as are twisting melodic lines, spacey, other-worldly atmospheres, and searing riffs, making the future of Mithras more than an intriguing prospect. As if the title track isn’t enough to beguile the listener, the eerie intro to ‘Inside The Godmind’ and the ensuing barrage of bass-driven riffs and spacey guitar lines certainly will. The bass sound is phenomenal, the balance of the bite and the low end both cutting through and fortifying the band’s colossal sound. The guitar draws from a vast palette, colouring the textures with reverberating, delayed ethers, the riffs are monstrous, and the lead work is remarkable. And Coss’s vocal tone and timbre is more than suited to the lyrics and the overall aesthetic almost to the point of being the lead force were it not that the band work as an accomplished and unified whole. Bar the fact that there are only two new tracks, there is little to fault here. The live tracks are great and the new tracks even better, but we want more. That next album had best appear soon.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Galactic Records
EP
TIME NEVER LASTS
Review by Jason Guest
RUNNING TIME:
27:26
RELEASE DATE:
2011
TRACK LISTING
1) Time Never Lasts
2) Inside the Godmind
3) Tomb of Kings (live)
4) Wrath of God (live)
5) Beyond the Eyes of Man (live)
2) Inside the Godmind
3) Tomb of Kings (live)
4) Wrath of God (live)
5) Beyond the Eyes of Man (live)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"Rhythmic variations are in abundance, as are twisting melodic lines, spacey, other-worldly atmospheres, and searing riffs, making the future of Mithras more than an intriguing prospect."
