State Of Ember « The RingMaster Review

With a sound woven from a combination of metal, punk and prog rock, UK outfit State of Ember have already courted proper attention with a debut EP but are now demanding it with the release of its successor, Broken Horizons. Offering six power fuelled, boldly tenacious tracks, the release is an ear grabbing, spirit rousing slab of anthemic rock ‘n’ roll and one fiercely enjoyable trespass.

Formed 2016, Worcestershire bred State Of Ember have been referenced to the likes of Alter Bridge, Shinedown, and INME but as Broken Horizons shows they have an individuality which is really beginning to mark them out from the crowd. True originality might still be awaiting their sound but it is hard to say there is nothing fresh or little which does not stand out about it either. From opener Time & Time, the EP sets out its rich stock of metal infused punk ‘n’ roll, flavouring just as welcoming to the spices of heavy and melodic rock. That first track swiftly springs wiry grooves which keenly wrapped ears, the guitar temptation laid out by Chris Tamburro an equal to his vocal prowess while the tenacious swings of drummer Chelsea McCammon alongside the infectious growl of Mike Landreth’s bass make for a matching lure.

It is a great, senses rousing start quickly matched by the eager exploits of its successor, Fear of Falling. Admittedly its opening wave of grooves and riffs is barely removed from those of the first song but it soon evolves its own character of imagination and attack which ebbs and flows in ferocity and invasive catchiness; growing all the more compelling by the turn.

Both next up Made Up My Mind and the following Reasons hit the spot, the first a fiery strong-willed roar with feral instincts and the second a cyclone of irritable punk metal inspired vigour and enterprise with a definite Therapy?-esque lining to it. Both are a cauldron of raucous adventure, the latter especially stirring before the blues rock scented Wrong Turn shares its infectious holler. Because of the thick triumph of the previous song it paled a touch in comparison but still easily coaxed ears and appetite to want more; a need final track, Beneath Our Dreams, feeds with zeal and resourcefulness as State Of Ember share another creative strand to writing and sound with its melodic rock laced metal insurgence on the senses.

Broken Horizons is as much about potential as current strengths and enterprise and as it is rich in all, it is not that hard to suspect a potent future for State Of Ember and a whole lot of pleasure for the rest of us.

Broken Horizons is released January 11^th.