Earthbound – Desolate

Oct21

With a reputation well on the rise, UK metallers Earthbound have just released their new EP, an encounter which is going to do their ascent up the metal ladder no harm at all. Four slabs of the band’s melodic death metal nurtured sound, Desolate swiftly grabbed attention and only proceeded to tighten its grip thereon in.

Hailing from Hitchin, Earthbound emerged in 2017 and soon lured interest with their debut EP, Endure a few months after. Originally a quartet, it was with the recruiting of guitarist John Stacy to stand alongside vocalist Tom Watson, guitarist/vocalist Louie Penfold, bassist Chris Stroud, and drummer Richard Shearing that something “clicked” within the band. An acclaimed appearance at Bloodstock Open Air Festival and playing support to Doyle and Countless Skies followed to enhance the word on the band and a sound which within Desolate devours the senses and ignites the imagination.

With the likes of Trivium, Iron Maiden, Arch Enemy, and Countless Skies declared as influences, Earthbound create a tempest borne out of death metal voracity meets melodic metalcore dexterity. It proves a compelling proposition within their new EP, each track adventurous in intent and accomplished in invention. It begins with Of Suffering, the track looming from the distance with open ferocity to quickly explode upon ears. Riffs and grooves invade as rhythms blitz the senses yet immediately there is an instinctive contagiousness which escalates the lure of attention. The raw throated squalls escaping Watson are just as potent a trespass as the sounds around them, the backing yells of Penfold as forcibly eager, but it is with the clean delivery of the former that the track truly ignites. Both sides to his presence provide strong quality but his melodic presence is especially striking. The song itself continues to harass and tempt as it too reveals an enterprise of varying flavours and textures across its dramatic landscape, the EP off to a powerful and impressive start.

Solitude follows with melodic enticement as its coaxing, its atmospheric breath soon welcoming another emotion rich clean delivery from Watson. Drama soon lines every note and the subsequent rally of rhythms before dark clouds intensify skies encroached by equally darkening sounds. From within more classic metal spiced threads of guitar emerge as keys float across the air of the song, its ground a motion of volatile endeavour. Toxic breath also infests the vocals as the track continues to expand and blossom, its landscape as unpredictable and imaginative and indeed magnetic as its predecessor’s.

Similarly Worlds Apart opens up with melodic radiance to the fore, vocals and guitars a warm invitation though shadows still lurk and eventually step forth as the mercurial climate of the track sparks with greater tempestuousness. Nevertheless, its melodic metal imagination fuels every twist and level of intensity before Remnants grips just as thick attention with its steely wires and invasive ruthlessness. It is a tempest of sound and craft which leaves no second void of persuasion and moment lacking the drama of enterprise. With a passage of atmospheric calm and emotive intimation like an irresistible oasis in an ever compelling storm, the track provides a powerful end to an equally striking release.

There are certainly moments and aspects which excite more than others within Desolate but from start to finish it only impressed, Earthbound living up to their reputation so far and laying seeds to a far greater level of plaudits ahead as they continue to grow and evolve.

Desolate is out now.

https://www.facebook.com/earthboundmusicuk https://twitter.com/Earthbound_band

Pete RingMaster 15/10/2019

Promethium – Origins

Aug28

promethium pic

Two years ago UK rockers Promethium impressed with their debut album Welcome to The Institution declaring themselves as a band rife with promise and enterprise. Their mix of heavy and classic metal, despite its strong and gripping entrance, also seemed to be saying ‘you have seen nothing yet’ as it left a certain hunger in its creative wake. Now awaiting its moment to burst into the world on September 30^th, Origins with ease backs up that apparent statement with a collection of tracks which scream from the rooftops just how much Promethium and their sound has matured and evolved between albums.

Formed from the remains of Skin Crawl, Bodies, Desolate and Natual Thing around six years or so ago the Lancaster band first opened up a wave of attention with their first EP Tribute to the Fallen of 2009. Followed by the successful and well received Welcome To The Institution the feeling that the band was about to erupt upon the higher levels of UK metal was maybe a little premature at that time. Met with acclaim and support things still seem to have moved on slowly for the band in regard to recognition though certainly tours with the likes of Furyon and Beholder as well as their own shows, did their stature no harm at all. Listening to the rich textured sounds and riotous energy and appetite of Origins only supports the notion that we all jumped the gun on their ascent but now could be the time it all kicks off for vocalist Gary McGahon, guitarists Daniel Lovett-Horn and Rossi, bassist Barry Mills, and drummer Dominic Clayton.

Whereas the previous album was a multi-flavoured mix of metal, for Origins the quintet has gone back to the roots of the band and promethium centred the core of their sound in prime heavy melodic metal, though it is as full of aural colour and sonic spice as ever. This definition of their direction we would suggest goes much towards the bigger deeper sound making the songs immersive and captivating, that and the obvious evolution in maturity and musical skills. From the opening track Won’t Break Me the leap in sound and composition openly hits, the track immediately wrapping the ear in sonic flames from the guitar and a bass and rhythmic inducement which stands bold and tall in craft and presence. The vocals of McGahon have also found a richer voice and delivery to match the sounds, and as the contagious opener rampages it all makes for an intensive lure for thoughts and hunger. There is a familiarity to the song which teases but as from day one with Promethium, band and music refuses to be compared to anyone else such the unique flavour of their music.

From the impressive beginning the album unleashes two more fierce encounters in the form of the confrontational Gunslinger and the antagonistic beast The Art of Hurting. The first of the pair, and the track which has been publicly teasing people up to release date, brings a great mix of vocal styles and intensive riffing veined by a cage of rhythmic prowess but it is the searing charm and flames of the guitars which steal the show before passing on to its equally rapacious successor. Holding its rabidity in check certainly compared to the previous songs, the track prowls the senses sucking air from the lungs with its oppressive and menacing nature. It is a brute of a treat which continues the vigorously strong start of the album provoking more thoughts that the band’s time has come.

Bringing a less intensive but no less striking offering, Counterfeit with sonic spires of melodic potency and riveting craft leads the listener into further fresh avenues whilst Rain with its power ballad like passion pushes the envelope of the songwriting and its realisation on the album yet again. The song is a real slow burner with its first engagement drawing strong acclaim and over subsequent listens drawing real ardour.

The riff sculpted almost Sabbath like The Hunted reeks old school metal in the best of ways though the vocals lack the bite and potency on earlier songs, especially the less successful mix of harsh and cleaner hues. It is still a richly satisfying ride which is matched by the slow melodic drawl of Plagued by Evil, another song which reminds of something else but will not give up the source, probably because there is none. The songs make for a less impacting but undoubted magnetic middle to the album which is given another adrenaline boost with Revolver, a song which conjures up a predacious animosity and within its storm an anthemic persuasion to capture the imagination.

Completed by the excellent Believer, a track which has more twists and turns to its inventive sound and melodic furnace than a dog chasing its tail and an invention which leaves each listen a little more rewarding and revealing, and the closing mesmeric instrumental title track, The Sky Rocket Records released Origins is a mighty release and step in the dawning of Promethium as one of UK’s most thrilling metal bands. Strangely it still suggests there is more to come from and hone within the band which is as dramatically exciting as the album itself.

Origins is released on October 7th

http://www.promethiumband.com

9/10

RingMaster 28/08/2013

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Interview with Dan Lovett-Horn of Promethium

Apr4

Promethium is a band that through an excellent and acclaimed EP and album plus a reputation for excellent and impressive live shows that has more than earned their right to be spoken as one of the best emerging metal/rock bands in the UK. With the band preparing and working on their next album we thought it was about time to catch up with guitarist Dan Lovett-Horn to find out more and reveal more about a band that will soon be making a very distinct mark on UK rock.

Welcome guys and thank you for sharing your time with us.

Could you first introduce the band members?

Many thanks dude. On vocals we have Gaz McGahon, Guitars, Dan Lovett-Horn and Rossi, Bass Barry Mills, Drums Allan Gardener.

How long has the band been going and how did you all meet?

The band started around five years ago. I was planning a studio project after my last band was disbanding. I met up with some musicians friends and all of a sudden we had a new band. Many members later and we are still here.

Promethium is not your first experience in a band then?

It’s quite weird actually. I had always wanted to play in a band with Rossi and after much pestering I finally had the opportunity when he left his last band Desolate. Gary had been an old band mate from our school years and he had just returned from London after his last band had come to an end. Barry is the frontman in the fantastic rock band Massive Wagons and his main reason for joining was he was missing playing the bass. Allan is the newest member from a now defunct experimental band.

Has metal been the sound you have created as musicians or is there a touch of Ministry in your journey to date if you know what I mean haha?

My previous band was influenced by 80’s rock and the music I was starting to write was going in a far heavier direction. So there was a change of direction because my own style of playing dictated that the music was becoming heavier. I must admit that Rossi is the one who brings the Ministry side to us. I guess it’s his old man influence.

Your debut release was Tribute to the Fallen in 2009, tell us about that initial acclaimed EP.

It was really great as we knew we were onto something cool, and as soon as it was released the reviews were very positive. The radio airplay then started, and we knew we had to crack on getting the album recorded.

It seems things between that and your first album two years later did not accelerate as one anticipated for the band is that fair to say?

That is fair. What is funny is the album was recorded very quickly, however the delay came from the manufacturing end and also the release date got altered a couple of times. Originally everything was ready for April 2010. There were delays and complications we couldn’t control.

That album was the excellent Welcome to The Institution which came out last year. How has that been received?

Overall it’s been good. We have had a lot of positive feedback and some great reviews. This in turn has also been helped by our debut music video “Visions” which has been banned on most music channels. We did two versions, one to get banned and create publicity and the safe one as a fallback for, and both got banned. It would seem what we consider acceptable the outside world does not.

As with any release there are always going to be people who dislike a recording, however we have found that even with negative reviews, people check us out, and so it works in our favour. The artwork could have been better but in all honesty you don’t judge a book by its cover so why would you with an album.

The album is a powerful and varied release, what was the inspiration behind it?

The concept behind the album was to make a recording of a new kind of metal, one that fuses a varied style of influences and isn’t bothered about current bandwagons.

As mentioned Welcome To The Institution is diverse in sound suggesting varied influences within the band, is that so and what are your most inspiring ones?

Big influences overall are Metallica, Megadeth, Annihilator, Testament and 2pac

Months on from its release what are the things about Welcome to The Institution you feel could have been better and alternately give you the deepest pride?

Overall we love the album. My biggest pride is the fact that it’s an album created with friends.

What have you learned from making it that will stand you in good stead for future recordings?

We’ve definitely learnt the meaning of Pre Production, and that’s something we are doing heavily for the next album. Also learnt what I need to do in regards to recording tips for more varied sounds.

How does songwriting work within the band?

We have now got it down to a fine art. I right the bulk of the music. Rossi then re-writes it, and then together as a band we arrange it. The final piece of the puzzle comes when Gaz sits down to process his thoughts and write the lyrics.

Is Promethium a democratic or is there a final voice on certain aspects of the band?

That’s a bit of a weird one. Yes we are a full band however we allow certain people to have a final voice depending on the matter.

You are currently working on your new album, what surprises and treats are we going to discover within in?

It’s going to be awesome. I have friend who turned up at the studio the other day and literally said the songs were jumping out of the speakers at him. We have really gone back to basics on this album, looked at every riff, every solo, every drum beat and fill, and every vocal melody. It is going be an album that people will take note of and I am certain it will open the gates for us. We have really gone back to our musical roots and this is where that album comes from.

Are there any definite songs you can reveal for it and an album title for the project?

We have decided not to release the title yet, but current song titles are Believer, Gunslinger, Wont Break me, and Plagued by Evil.

Apart from the album what plans do you have for 2012, plenty of gigs?

2012 is a busy year with the first half packed with gigs all over the country including the fantastic Future Perfect festival in May in Manchester. The second half of the year will be studio based so that we can look a spring 2013 release for album two.

How hard is it to keep outside life from distracting and coming before the life of Promethium for you guys?

Music for all of us all is a passion. We love it whether it is gigging or in the studio or in rehearsal. We all work full time and if we didn’t love doing this it would be difficult to manage both things. We just don’t see it as a difficulty its part of our life and we love doing it.

Many thanks again for chatting with us.

Can we end with a couple of in depth questions…firstly which band member would you be most reluctant to share a broken down elevator with?

Rossi – he would geek you death before the oxygen ran out – although that might be a good thing suffocating in a lift sounds like a horrible way to die.

And lastly which of the band has the darkest embarrassment to hide and what is it?

If you buy a copy of our album when it comes out the sleeve notes will tell all!!

Read the review of Welcome to The Institution @ https://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/promethium-%E2%80%93-welcome-to-the-institution/

RingMaster Review 04/04/2012