Fathoms
When we’re sent through an album to check out I always pay attention to see what’s going on, but when the press release goes on to say that the record is going to be made available for free, well then I definitely perk up to see what’s on. That’s exactly what happened when recently, Garry at SAN PR sent us through details of Fathoms, a Brighton based hardcore unit who are set to unleash their debut EP on the unsuspecting public for free, nada, zero, nothing…..now tell me that’s not a good deal! Described as merging passion with belligerence, Fathoms are on the up and developing their sound, melding modern metal with hardcore to create the bands unique yet fierce sound. Based on all the info I’d been sent through, I was looking forward to checking out what was on offer from these guys!
Opening with All Roads Lead To Here, the EP gets off to a dark and desolate sounding beginning, an ominous sound paving the way into the tracks getting going, before the click of a gun signals the actual start of things. Hammering into a sludgy melee of hammering guitar lines, rolling drums and pounding bass rhythms, the track soon gets going and lurches us into a pit of all out devastation, hammering on with a sound which is heavy, raw, powerful and straight down the line without any messing about. It’s easy to see the hardcore elements of the band as things get moving, but there’s also a groove orientated element working away in the background, pushing the track to a new level and turning it into something bigger and deeper, the sort of thing which is going to leave venues as nothing but dust when it’s played out live. Lessons continues this idea, hammering onwards from the word go and launching us into a track which holds all of the aggression and venom of the opening moments of this record. Powerful and at times, syncopated, this is another track which shows off the live roots of the band, the sort of thing which is going to get them a reputation as an un-miss able act, and the sort of thing which is making me seriously want to see them myself. Despite the all-out approach there’s once again a serious dose of groove thrown into the mix, the sort of thing which keeps the track alive and people moving – definitely a track to check out.
Wayland Avenue marks a slight change in the progression of the EP, offering up a track which is more based around melody and progression than some of the earlier moments, yet one which still holds all of the power of the opening moments of the EP. The soaring guitar work which gets things going leads us from melodic into downright distorted once again, moving back to the bands signature sound which seems to draw influence from heavyweights like Hatebreed crossed with a real sense of Bury Your Dead – it’s a quality mix but one which is going to appeal to the real fans of the genre. November, December comes up next and almost seems to fade straight on, once again hammering us with those distorted guitars and roaring vocal lines. The pounding mix which is adopted here is one which once again is going to find its full force on the live scene, the sort of thing which is going to get crowds jumping, pits moving, and a real sense of devastation flowing through the venue. This was one of my personal favourite tracks off of the EP, the sort of thing I know I’ll come back to time and time again just to make sure the power is still there!
Middle Ground (featuring Chad Ruhlig of Legend) comes up next and shows us a more emotionally tinged version of the band’s sound, still managing to sound punishingly heavy yet incorporating that sense of emotion into things, the sort of thing which keeps the melody alive and keeps you listening to see what comes next. The layered vocals here stand this track out as one to check out for sure, the sort of track which is going to mark the band as an act that can adjust their style to cater for the fans watching at that point, and can produce solid results whatever they’re up to. Closing with The Greater Good we’re left much as we began, on a seriously heavy note which leaves you wondering why it is you’ve not come across these guys before. Full on from start to finish, this final track on the record seems to hold even more power, even more distortion, and even more pure hate than some of the earlier tracks, finishing on a note that will leave you breathless and wanting to hear more and more from these guys.
Any EP which is free is a bargain, but when the EP is as solid as this one from Fathoms then it seems only right you check out it. From start to finish, Transitions presents us with hardcore metal, hammering out tracks which make you want to get into a pit, tracks which make you sit back, and an overwhelming sense that giving this away for free is a damned good plan, as everyone’s got no reason not to check it out, so everyone should hear it!
To find out more about Fathoms, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with All Roads Lead To Here, the EP gets off to a dark and desolate sounding beginning, an ominous sound paving the way into the tracks getting going, before the click of a gun signals the actual start of things. Hammering into a sludgy melee of hammering guitar lines, rolling drums and pounding bass rhythms, the track soon gets going and lurches us into a pit of all out devastation, hammering on with a sound which is heavy, raw, powerful and straight down the line without any messing about. It’s easy to see the hardcore elements of the band as things get moving, but there’s also a groove orientated element working away in the background, pushing the track to a new level and turning it into something bigger and deeper, the sort of thing which is going to leave venues as nothing but dust when it’s played out live. Lessons continues this idea, hammering onwards from the word go and launching us into a track which holds all of the aggression and venom of the opening moments of this record. Powerful and at times, syncopated, this is another track which shows off the live roots of the band, the sort of thing which is going to get them a reputation as an un-miss able act, and the sort of thing which is making me seriously want to see them myself. Despite the all-out approach there’s once again a serious dose of groove thrown into the mix, the sort of thing which keeps the track alive and people moving – definitely a track to check out.
Wayland Avenue marks a slight change in the progression of the EP, offering up a track which is more based around melody and progression than some of the earlier moments, yet one which still holds all of the power of the opening moments of the EP. The soaring guitar work which gets things going leads us from melodic into downright distorted once again, moving back to the bands signature sound which seems to draw influence from heavyweights like Hatebreed crossed with a real sense of Bury Your Dead – it’s a quality mix but one which is going to appeal to the real fans of the genre. November, December comes up next and almost seems to fade straight on, once again hammering us with those distorted guitars and roaring vocal lines. The pounding mix which is adopted here is one which once again is going to find its full force on the live scene, the sort of thing which is going to get crowds jumping, pits moving, and a real sense of devastation flowing through the venue. This was one of my personal favourite tracks off of the EP, the sort of thing I know I’ll come back to time and time again just to make sure the power is still there!
Middle Ground (featuring Chad Ruhlig of Legend) comes up next and shows us a more emotionally tinged version of the band’s sound, still managing to sound punishingly heavy yet incorporating that sense of emotion into things, the sort of thing which keeps the melody alive and keeps you listening to see what comes next. The layered vocals here stand this track out as one to check out for sure, the sort of track which is going to mark the band as an act that can adjust their style to cater for the fans watching at that point, and can produce solid results whatever they’re up to. Closing with The Greater Good we’re left much as we began, on a seriously heavy note which leaves you wondering why it is you’ve not come across these guys before. Full on from start to finish, this final track on the record seems to hold even more power, even more distortion, and even more pure hate than some of the earlier tracks, finishing on a note that will leave you breathless and wanting to hear more and more from these guys.
Any EP which is free is a bargain, but when the EP is as solid as this one from Fathoms then it seems only right you check out it. From start to finish, Transitions presents us with hardcore metal, hammering out tracks which make you want to get into a pit, tracks which make you sit back, and an overwhelming sense that giving this away for free is a damned good plan, as everyone’s got no reason not to check it out, so everyone should hear it!
To find out more about Fathoms, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls