CD Review: As We Fight / The Psyke Project - Ebola

Written by Colin McNamara Monday, 16 May 2011 11:24

Artist: As We Fight / The Psyke Project
Title: Ebola
Genre: Metalcore
Release Date: 2nd May 2011
Label: Lifeforce Records

Album Review

Both AS WE FIGHT and THE PSYKE PROJECT come together for a split album by the name of ‘Ebola’. Even though both perform music in the same genre, listeners will be able to tell a distinct difference between them. The first four tracks on the album are by AS WE FIGHT; they perform a more modern, generic style of metalcore mixed with hardcore that is in the vein of WINDS OF PLAGUE or THE AUTUM OFFERING, but inject a lot of groove into their sound so it doesn’t sound so monotone and dead. Tracks like ‘Shattered’ and ‘Bitter End’ feature heavy, thumping rhythms that tend to repeat itself amongst screamed/ shouted vocals- there’s no growling here. The music is catchy, but also doesn’t stand out for those who are familiar with the genre and have been around the block in exploring metalcore artists. AS WE FIGHT at least has the production value on the upper hand compared to THE PSYKE PROJECT.

PSYKE PROJECT dominates the next five tracks, oddly enough. They’re slightly more seasoned than AS WE FIGHT, but their style is very different. It is much more experimental and gritty/ heavier; the band likes to play around with atmosphere. Using dark and evil synths such as on a track like ‘This Road To Hell’, the album blasts its way through with distorted guitars that pack plenty of rhythm and the vocals are faded and scratchy shouts, which also help add to the twisted atmosphere the band tries to create. Like AS WE FIGHT, sometimes the riffs can get a bit repetitive over and over, but sometimes that is necessary when trying to maintain a certain atmosphere. Other tracks like ‘A 1,000 Frozen Bodies’ are a bit heavier and thicker, like sludge metal would be, but the band still keeps the synth up in the background. The frantic pace near the end seems so harsh and distorted one might think they were hearing technical Grindcore for a second, but thankfully PSYKE PROJECT never gets that overbearing.

Between both bands, this is quite the metalcore/ hardcore fest. There’s the more straightforward and then the experimental. Fans will find both a reason to love or hate either AS WE FIGHT or THE PSYKER PROJECT for their generic modalities or quirky music touches, but at the same time it was also attract listeners as well. It’s a very mixed bag that really isn’t all that different. If one is a metalcore fan and doesn’t nit-pick then this entire album will flow over smoothly with their ear hole. Perhaps the split could have been longer to give AS WE FIGHT more of a chance to show their stuff, but they still show a strong presence even though they are outnumbered. Both bands did start in 2001, but PSYKE got the jump start first.


Tracklist

01. Shattered (3:32)
02. Save Me (6:15)
03. Bitter End (4:09)
04. Black Heart (3:43)
05. We Came From Earth (3:54)
06. Battles (2:46)
07. This Road To Hell (4:45)
08. Only I Remain (3:45)
09. A 1000 Frozen Bodies (2:05)


Line-up

AS WE FIGHT
Laurits Medom – Vocals
Martin "Gun/Golter" Goltermann – Guitar  
Martin "O" Olsen – Guitar
Søren "Steel" Hvidt – Bass
Niels "Niller" Plum – Drums

THE PSYKE PROJECT
Martin Nielskov – Vocals
Mikkel Vadstrup – Lead Guitar
Christian Bonnesen – Rhythm Guitar
Rasmus Sejersen – Drums
Jeppe Skouv – Bass


Website

http://www.myspace.com/aswefight / http://www.myspace.com/thepsykeproject


Cover Picture




Rating

Sound: 7
Music: 8
Total: 7.5 / 10