Release
date: October 16th 2015. Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Silverowls
– Tracklisting
1.
Silverowls
2.
Anthems
3.
The Saint
4.
Eclipse
5.
Wolvesrun
6.
It's Alright
7.
Bonus Track
Band
Members:
Benjamin
Kapidzic - guitars / vocals
Frederic
Twisterling - bass / vocals
Jakob
Ehmke - drums
Review:
Skythen
are a band I’ve been hearing a lot about recently. Mainly from my
good pal Mona of High Fighter fame. Skythen’s lead singer/guitarist
Benjamin recorded High Fighter’s debut EP – The Goat Ritual -
last year over a single weekend. I’ve had their debut EP –
Silverowls - for a while and I’m happy to report it’s a
blistering Stoner Metal debut that will definitely find an audience
within the Stoner Metal scene. Silverowls features 7 tracks of Heavy
Doom based Stoner Metal with a twisted dark edge. The production is
loud and crisp as the tone of the EP is mainly about aggression and
rebellion as Skythen don’t mess about with their music.
Opening
track – Silverowls – comes straight at you with the band getting
straight down to business with fast-paced riffs with a punk/thrash
violent energy. The vocals veer from clean based vocals to the more
chaotic hardcore based. It can be slightly jarring at times but at
least Skythen have written impressive Stoner Metal riff towards the
end of the song.
Second
track – Anthems – brings the HEAVY in a very loud way with dual
hardcore based vocals as Skythen cross the line between Hardcore,
Stoner Metal and Doom Metal for one of the EP’s loudest tracks. The
lyrical content is bleak and dark as Skythen pummel your senses into
submission.
Third
track –The Saint – sees Skythen offer more of the same violent
doom and gloom stoner based atmospherics as the riffs come thick and
fast. Skythen even add a Thrash/Groove Metal vibe which adds an air
of menace to their sound.
Fourth
track – Eclipse – is pure Thrash Metal fury with the band
unleashing untold anger and aggression upon to the listener. There
are still traces of Stoner Metal here and there but it’s buried
under a ton of heavy fast paced Thrash Metal riffs. It can be quite
psychedelic at times with the band in more reflective mood. This is
perhaps the best song on the EP.
Fifth
Track – Wolvesrun – sees Skythen return to Hardcore/Stoner Metal
territory as they play through one of fastest songs on the EP. The
song only lasts 2:30 mins or so but it’s the vocals that keep you
intrigued rather than the music. As the vocals have a haunting edge
to them that I didn’t expect at all.
Sixth
Track – It’s Alright – is perhaps my least favourite song on
the EP. Even though it’s got plenty of Stoner Metal riffage for you
to enjoy. It’s not as exciting as the other songs on the EP. I
would have left this song out from the final version of the EP. But
that’s just me. What do I know!!!
The
final track is an excellent cover of Metallica cover – Motorbreath.
It’s what you expect it to be - a great interpretation of a classic
song given a Stoner Metal makeover. Skythen made a wise choice in
covering this song as it shows they’re having fun with their music.
Silverowls
is a stunning debut EP that shows that Skythen are a band worth
keeping an eye on in the future. Bring on the debut full length
record. Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Thanks
to Mona for the promo. Silverowls will be available to buy on CD/DD
on October 16th 2015.
Words
by Steve Howe
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