Man In The Arena: Tracklisting
This Ain't Free
Birthright
Crown Of The Cynic
Frail Old Bones (ft Kyle Thomas)
Thousand Year Curse
Main In The Arena (ft Kyle Thomas)
God Drenched In White
Lightbringer
Members
Joel B - Vocals
Joe W - Guitar
Azriel N - Bass
Jack W - Drums
Review:
Man In The Arena is the new album from UK Sludge/Stoner Metallers The Sound Of Origin who feel they've gone under a slightly Grunge/NOLA/Groove Metal based transformation for this album. As the band feel inspired by bands such as Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots and DOWN for this album. There were elements of this style of music on their previous releases but the Grunge aspect is used more predominantly here with the NOLA based vocals allowing the band to have a more Sludge perspective on the darker aspects of the album.
Opening song This Ain't Free is quite a departure for the band as they play a densely populated style of Sludge, Grunge, Doom and Stoner Metal with those NOLA based flourishes appearing mostly within the music and when the harsh vocals appear. The vocals here remind me of Layne Stayley with the bleak lyrics that accompany this track. The song can be quite punishing and unrelenting with the stylish and heavy sludgy guitars having small instances of Psychedelic energy. Though, the undeniable spirit of Alice In Chains is quite strong here but still allowing The Sound Of Origin to their dominant selves on the catchy extended instrumental moments.
Second song Birthright is another buoyant track showcasing that grungy and seedy aspect that seems to have breathed new life into The Sound Of Origin especially with the mature songwriting approach that features on the opening two tracks alone. The song does have a classic 90's Grunge sound with the heavier grooves moving further into heavier Sludge/Stoner realms. There's a wicked Post-Doom/NOLA flair which allows the band to play some highly progressive jams.
Third song Crown Of The Cynic is one of the standout tracks on the album with the band playing a more caustic and slower style of music that opts for a Doom based perspective. The song does move up a gear when the subtle Psychedelic tones bring a slightly distorted area of music with the mostly melodic vocals having a heartfelt element to them. The album becomes more DOOM based with the bleak lyrics and emotionally charged vocals becoming more dramatic along the way. There's a few moments of distorted Psychedelics along the way but the song focuses mostly on tone and melody on the later stages and that's perhaps one of the finest parts on the entire album. The song does becomes more aggressive towards the end which allows The Sound Of Origin to play a more threatening style of music which is used quite frequently on the remainder of the album.
If you ever need more evidence that The Sound Of Origin have embraced a more Grunge/NOLA/Groove Metal sound then the next track Frail Old Bones will provide evidence of this. The band has teamed up with Kyle Thomas of EXHORDER, Alabama Thunderpussy and Trouble fame. This track brings the classic sounds of early-era The Sound Of Origin used to play and brings a more Groove oriented spin courtesy of the killer work provided by Kyle Thomas. The NOLA sounds are forceful and plentiful with a kick-ass HARD ROCK melody working surprising well with the multitude of different vocal styles. Another one of the album's standout tracks.
Fifth song Thousand Year Curse opens with a killer Bass solo before exploding into a LOUD WALL of distorted sludgy guitars with a slightly Doomed Out Stoner sound that is played LOW & SLOW for the majority of the track. There's a few flashes of warped and seedy Grunge attitude with perhaps some of the most heartfelt and gloomy lyrics for the album. The later stages of the song moves into multiple different directions for a chaotic but mostly melodic and groove based journey.
Kyle Thomas makes another welcome appearance on the next track Man In The Arena and is quite similar to Frail Old Bones but with a more riff-centric delivery. The momentum never waivers with The Sound Of Origin using a style of Post-Grunge and Post-Doom that allows the album to breathe naturally with some violent thrashy beatdowns being injected at the right time with a subtle Psychedelic sound becoming more Atmospheric that I didn't expect at all.
The final two songs of Gold Drenched In White and Lightbringer continue with the Doom/Grunge/Sludge creative structure but with a more reflective vocal style that does remind me of Layne Staley and Scott Weiland. The Psych Stoner Metal energy soon changes into Groove/NOLA/Southern Metal on multiple occasions which shines most brightly on Gold Drenched In White. Lightbringer does have some of the best and most addictive guitar parts on the album.
Man In The Arena is without doubt The Sound Of Origin's most mature and outstanding release to date. This could be the start of an exciting new chapter for the band which could put them at the forefront of the UK Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. The album is helped along by stunning and intense production values that allows The Sound Of Origin to play some of the finest and heaviest sounds of their career to date.
This album is going to allow the band to gain a considerable following within the underground scene. This is a must have album to add to your record collection.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to The Sound Of Origin for the promo.
Man In The Arena will be available to buy on CD/DD from October 27th 2023.
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