Review of Skura – Breathing New Life (EP)

 

Call it an EP or a 4 track Demo but as far as first releases go for new bands… Breathing New Life definitely hits the spot for this reviewer.

Not like so called “experimental” quote, unquote metal acts who you find constantly trying to come up with something new or attempting to add a new lick of innovative flavour to the Metal scene. This is no aquired taste but more an instant love. With each song – short, fast and crisp. Skura keep in true form to their well established borderline experimental hardcore metal that jumps in, takes a hold of you and leaves you (the listener) gasping for air but still wanting so much more.

This is a band that have hit the nail on the head when it comes to narrowing down a style that bands their whole career/s (metal or otherwise) yearn for with each release.

The opening track ‘No Disguise’ kicking it off with an almost memorable nu-metal guitar riff to start this ball-buster off, giving you that feeling the same feeling that I’ve definitely heard this before.
You will hear no guitar wankery on this release but rather more guitar riffage that immediately draws you in as (I’m sure others will agree), staying true to what works for each individual song, grabbing your attention, taking hold with the refusal to let go until you’ve finished listening.

The enter/exit routine of guttural screams versus melodic vocals play a prominent part in this release specifically tracks ‘No Disguise’ and ‘Shit Storm’, providing what every metalhead looks for. Although, more time could’ve been spent on building the strength of the melodic vocals and what definitely makes up for the lack there? (To your surprise) the odd spoken word and almost off tempo short bass renditions randomly inserted into the mix of ‘My Muse’.

And just when you’re beginning to think you’ve got more then what you paid for? What better way to end it all with ‘Whore’? Barely mature vocal content aside as I’m sure that it’s rather crystal clear. Take all the elements of the first 3 songs, throw them into a mixer, tossed and shaken with some bitter vocals and you’ve got a brilliant ending to the first release from a rather promising local Newcastle metal band.

For fans of : Mudvayne and Machine Head.