As Artifacts
We were recently put on to Concord (California) based band As Artifacts, to check out their latest single ‘Bilbo Swaggins’. Describing their music as ‘heavy then chill’, this 7 piece band got together back in 2008 under the name of ‘Sink This Ship!’ before undergoing the transition to ‘As Artifacts’ as we see them today. Now releasing their single Bilbo Swaggins, and with a full length album in the pipeline for this year, we thought it only right we check out what’s on offer to see what their sound is really like.
The opening of the track suggests that we’re in for a dark ride, opening with a solid lead line which builds into the track taking form over some faded in drums, before ushering in a screaming roar full of power. Throwing down with a slamming riff backed up by the solid drumming, the bands statement of ‘heavy’ is certainly holding water! Speeding up to blast beat territory, this band seems to be one which refuses to follow one set genre, instead incorporating all of the key elements of Death metal into a track which is almost based around the key ideas of Hardcore as well, it’s a clever mix but works exceedingly well here. What becomes most striking is how they are able to shift from all out heavy to moments of soaring melody, moving from sections which are going to get the crowd circling and baying for blood, to others which are going to sooth them and have them singing along with the band.
As a track, this is one which is going to leave you dumfounded, there’s moments which get you worked up and ready for war, and other moments which leave you sat back just relaxing and taking in the melodic power oozing out of the speakers. I think there’s bound to be people out there who say this is confused, but personally, I like the combination. There’s double bass, slamming guitar lines, roaring and singing, basically everything you could want from a metal track. These guys are going to be a force to be reckoned with if their new album is able to match this single song, so definitely one to watch out for.
To find out more about As Artifacts, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
The opening of the track suggests that we’re in for a dark ride, opening with a solid lead line which builds into the track taking form over some faded in drums, before ushering in a screaming roar full of power. Throwing down with a slamming riff backed up by the solid drumming, the bands statement of ‘heavy’ is certainly holding water! Speeding up to blast beat territory, this band seems to be one which refuses to follow one set genre, instead incorporating all of the key elements of Death metal into a track which is almost based around the key ideas of Hardcore as well, it’s a clever mix but works exceedingly well here. What becomes most striking is how they are able to shift from all out heavy to moments of soaring melody, moving from sections which are going to get the crowd circling and baying for blood, to others which are going to sooth them and have them singing along with the band.
As a track, this is one which is going to leave you dumfounded, there’s moments which get you worked up and ready for war, and other moments which leave you sat back just relaxing and taking in the melodic power oozing out of the speakers. I think there’s bound to be people out there who say this is confused, but personally, I like the combination. There’s double bass, slamming guitar lines, roaring and singing, basically everything you could want from a metal track. These guys are going to be a force to be reckoned with if their new album is able to match this single song, so definitely one to watch out for.
To find out more about As Artifacts, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls