With slabs of sound to rival any global devastation Newcastle-upon-Tyne metalers Arcite release their new EP We Lie Awake. The band began in 2009 with musicians already experienced with previous well established bands and soon laid down and increased a reputation of intense and explosive live shows leading to shared stages with the likes of Siege of Amida, Viatrophy, and Eradication. A lack of bringing their live intensity into their demos led Arcite (pronounced ar-kite) eventually to London and to Dan Weller (Sikth/Malefice/Bury Tomorrow/Rise To Remain/Johnny Truant/Young Guns) with whom they recorded the track ‘In Taylor’s Eyes’. A huge response to the track in acclaim and downloads, as the quintet’s sound finally showed its force on a recording ensued and now the band has just released their We Lie Awake EP to undoubted further enthusiastic clamour.
Lately shows with Glamour of the Kill, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Shaped By Fate and US metal heavy weights Crowbar as well as a show on the Sylosis/Malefice UK tour in October shows the band is rising at a rapid rate and with We Lie Awake the growth will surely accelerate.
The four tracks that make up We Lie Awake attack and lay waste to the senses from start to end, their consuming power as hard and relentless a march upon the ear as they are merciless. ‘Asylum’ starts the assault off, its crushing riffs and striking guitar slices of aggression impressive. The varied vocals of Jonathan White are intense but neatly controlled in bringing growls, grunts and smoother deliveries in equal measure and success. Often with bands the music over powers vocals or the vocals strangle the creativity of subtler parts in heavy metal tracks but there is a great balance within this and the subsequent tracks. 
The driving assault of bassist Brian James and Matthew Dix with his demanding and forceful drums give great substance to each track as clearly shown on next song ‘We Lie Awake’. The song starts off with a deceitful mellower touch before throwing an immense cacophony of aggressive sounds and riffs from the cutting guitars of James Newton and Martin Webb, combined Arcite are one of the tightest and most forceful bands in the UK right now and they show it successfully here and all through the release.
‘Foreshadow’ and ‘In My Family’ complete the release continuing the collision of towering riffs and power with senses. Excellent vocals, engaging guitar play lurking amongst the commanding riffs and some quick striking discreet harmonies lift each song nicely.
There is a Lamb Of God with a touch of Hatebreed feel to the EP and though it is not a negative it is fair to say Arcite has yet to truly find their own distinct sound though We Lie Awake certainly shows they are well down the right path to achieve that. The EP is a scarring, senses smashing, oppressive joy and a mere step on the band’s eventual rise in the UK metal standings and hearts.
The We Lie Awake EP is available as a free download @
http://www.mediafire.com/file/9q3sq9g7ql376c1/We%20Lie%20Awake%20EP.zip
RingMaster 09/08/2011
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