Fates Upon Us
There seems to be a resurgence of music coming out of Yorkshire at the moment, and I can’t work out why, but there we go! One band heading out of Sheffield is 5 piece Fates Upon Us with their self titled debut EP due to hit stores on Monday the 22nd of October. Cited as being compared to the likes of Asking Alexandria, A Day To Remember and Bullet For My Valentine, the band are swiftly building a following, developing their style, and aiming for the jugular of the UK scene. Based on the write up we were sent through, I was looking forward to seeing what this debut held in store, and whether the Northern part of the country had once again produced a serious force to be reckoned with!
Don’t Hate The Player Hate The Game gets things going on the EP, immediately setting the tone for what is to follow with a bass heavy mix of pounding riffs, thundering drum lines and a sense that this is going to be one heavy assed ride! As the vocals kick in to provide the full picture, the track continues to pound onwards on its distorted journey, the mix continuing to build up until the full force of the chorus is realised, almost breaking things down to a slower beat but still holding all of the power you’d expect from something like this. Throughout the track we’re treated to twists and turns, moving from straight forward moments through to more technical elements, the mix continually sticking on the heavy side of the spectrum and showing that metal is alive and well in the Northern regions of the UK. Have Fun Storming The Castle continues this idea perfectly, launching into a hammering melee of distorted elements to form a sound which is surely going to destroy venues on the live scene. Screaming vocals combine with soaring clean lines, the whole mix building up and crafting the bands signature sound, allowing you to hear every single element of the mix and forming something which is going to get pits moving, crowds pumping and venues shaking. Personally, this was my favourite track off of the EP, the sort of track which I know I’m going to come back to time and time again, the sort of track which makes me want to get out to see the band live and witness the devastation for myself.
If Cats Had Opposable Thumbs comes up next (great track name by the way) and continues to lay down with the bands heavy approach to things, this time offering up a more conventional track designed to get crowds moving, people listening and everyone around them involved in the sound they’ve crafted. Fast, distorted and powerful throughout, this track may well be more straight forward than the two before it yet it still manages to go through the movements, manages to once again develop through twists and turns and different approaches resulting in something massive, something which doesn’t pull any punches or leave any doubt that Fates Upon Us are a band to check out. It’s a shock then when Boys, We’ve Struck Gold comes around, slowing everything down and opening on an acoustic note. The contrast of moving from hard hitting and powerful through to calm, collected and relaxed is striking, making this track once again stand out as a moment to witness on the EP. That said, don’t be lured into thinking this is going to be a quiet track, as soon enough the distortion returns and once again we’re thrust into a powerful mix of riffs, bass and pounding drum lines. More melodic than some of the other moments on the EP at times, and heavier at other times, this track is almost a showcase of what you can expect from the band, and a track which is going to stand the band in good stead moving forwards.
Closing with Hobo With A Shotgun we’re left on a serious note, the EP closing with another display of the bands rock roots as well as their heavier tendencies. Immediately I found myself sitting back and listening to the bass heavy break downs which keep this track going, the sort of thing which is going to find its true power on the live scene, yet here contrasted with serene and melodic breaks and soaring vocal lines. It’s this ability to contrast, this ability to put together tracks which, on paper, shouldn’t work, keep you listening, involved and wanting to know more from start to finish, a solid ending to a solid EP.
Some may say that Fates Upon Us are doing what countless other bands have already done before, but I think there’s more to this EP than that when you hear it. Throughout the tracks there seems to be a sense of movement, a sense of progression, and a sense that the band have really thought about what they’ve done here – and they’ve made it work. As a debut EP this is going to be a hell of a starting point, and an EP which I would recommend you check out just to see what you reckon!
To find out more about Fates Upon Us, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Don’t Hate The Player Hate The Game gets things going on the EP, immediately setting the tone for what is to follow with a bass heavy mix of pounding riffs, thundering drum lines and a sense that this is going to be one heavy assed ride! As the vocals kick in to provide the full picture, the track continues to pound onwards on its distorted journey, the mix continuing to build up until the full force of the chorus is realised, almost breaking things down to a slower beat but still holding all of the power you’d expect from something like this. Throughout the track we’re treated to twists and turns, moving from straight forward moments through to more technical elements, the mix continually sticking on the heavy side of the spectrum and showing that metal is alive and well in the Northern regions of the UK. Have Fun Storming The Castle continues this idea perfectly, launching into a hammering melee of distorted elements to form a sound which is surely going to destroy venues on the live scene. Screaming vocals combine with soaring clean lines, the whole mix building up and crafting the bands signature sound, allowing you to hear every single element of the mix and forming something which is going to get pits moving, crowds pumping and venues shaking. Personally, this was my favourite track off of the EP, the sort of track which I know I’m going to come back to time and time again, the sort of track which makes me want to get out to see the band live and witness the devastation for myself.
If Cats Had Opposable Thumbs comes up next (great track name by the way) and continues to lay down with the bands heavy approach to things, this time offering up a more conventional track designed to get crowds moving, people listening and everyone around them involved in the sound they’ve crafted. Fast, distorted and powerful throughout, this track may well be more straight forward than the two before it yet it still manages to go through the movements, manages to once again develop through twists and turns and different approaches resulting in something massive, something which doesn’t pull any punches or leave any doubt that Fates Upon Us are a band to check out. It’s a shock then when Boys, We’ve Struck Gold comes around, slowing everything down and opening on an acoustic note. The contrast of moving from hard hitting and powerful through to calm, collected and relaxed is striking, making this track once again stand out as a moment to witness on the EP. That said, don’t be lured into thinking this is going to be a quiet track, as soon enough the distortion returns and once again we’re thrust into a powerful mix of riffs, bass and pounding drum lines. More melodic than some of the other moments on the EP at times, and heavier at other times, this track is almost a showcase of what you can expect from the band, and a track which is going to stand the band in good stead moving forwards.
Closing with Hobo With A Shotgun we’re left on a serious note, the EP closing with another display of the bands rock roots as well as their heavier tendencies. Immediately I found myself sitting back and listening to the bass heavy break downs which keep this track going, the sort of thing which is going to find its true power on the live scene, yet here contrasted with serene and melodic breaks and soaring vocal lines. It’s this ability to contrast, this ability to put together tracks which, on paper, shouldn’t work, keep you listening, involved and wanting to know more from start to finish, a solid ending to a solid EP.
Some may say that Fates Upon Us are doing what countless other bands have already done before, but I think there’s more to this EP than that when you hear it. Throughout the tracks there seems to be a sense of movement, a sense of progression, and a sense that the band have really thought about what they’ve done here – and they’ve made it work. As a debut EP this is going to be a hell of a starting point, and an EP which I would recommend you check out just to see what you reckon!
To find out more about Fates Upon Us, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls