Invictus
Rob from Stampede Press is a bit of a demon when it comes to sending through bands we’re going to want to check out, so when he sent through a press kit for Bloodstock Festival ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ semi-finalists Invictus, I knew I was in for a treat. Formed in 2012, Invictus are a 6 piece metalcore band, hailing from Leicester in the UK and bound by a mutual passion for music, offering up their own brand of metalcore that draws influence from their peers, yet delivers a sound that is firmly their own. With their debut EP, Unconquerable, produced by Archie Wilson of Seven Deadly, this EP represents a serious milestone in their career, and a snapshot of why they’re about to take over the world – so what of the music.
Opening proceedings with Master Of My Fate it’s clear that Invictus have got a serious amount of heavy assed power running through their veins, a solid guitar line paving the way into things before unleashing an almighty roar of pummelling drum work, heavy bass and roaring vocal lines. Raw and powerful, the mix that forms here is one which epitomises the metalcore genre, taking the heavy approach and combining it with melodic vocals, offering up a mix which will appeal to fans of the all out heavy approach as well as fans of more melodic style stuff. Throughout the track it’s clear that the guys have drawn influence from their peers, yet at the same time the sound on offer is one which can clearly be labelled Invictus from here on, setting things in motion very nicely indeed, and getting the listener involved from the word go.
Moving out of the almighty opening moments, Zero comes up next, once again opening with a bass heavy, pulsating mix of guitar riffery, pounding drum lines and those hard hitting vocals. Packed to the rafters with distorted aggression, there’s no faffing about here, just a straight down the line dose of blunt force trauma, all wrapped up in a melodic and hooky mix of madness. Contrasting the raw screams with the melodic and hooky vocals of the chorus, this track is without a doubt a stand out moment on the EP, and a moment that’s sure to kill on the live scene. Matching the power with Lazarus, the EP continues on its distorted journey, continuing to show how these guys have received so much recognition, and why they’re destined for the big time. Continuing to showcase their signature sound packed with soaring vocals, raw screams, rumbling bass and heavy assed guitar work, there doesn’t seem to be any stopping the force that is Invictus as the EP progresses, continuing to set the bar damned high.
It’s only then left for Cimmerian to close things, finishing with one final blow to the head, packed with distortion, intricate lead lines and soaring vocals. Once again managing to balance out the power and aggression of their distorted outlook with the more clean and melodic moments of the chorus, the final track on the EP does what it should, summarising the EP, bringing things to a close, and leaving you with a serious taste for what you’ve just heard.
What can I say about Invictus that I’ve not already said above other than wow, talk about a band on a mission! As an EP this is impressive, but as a debut EP Unconquerable is particularly impressive as it’s the first offering, the first taste, and the first impression the world is going to get. Definitely a band with a hell of a lot of potential and one I’ll be keeping a close eye on, if this is the future of metalcore then worry not people, we’re in safe hands!
To find out more about Invictus, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening proceedings with Master Of My Fate it’s clear that Invictus have got a serious amount of heavy assed power running through their veins, a solid guitar line paving the way into things before unleashing an almighty roar of pummelling drum work, heavy bass and roaring vocal lines. Raw and powerful, the mix that forms here is one which epitomises the metalcore genre, taking the heavy approach and combining it with melodic vocals, offering up a mix which will appeal to fans of the all out heavy approach as well as fans of more melodic style stuff. Throughout the track it’s clear that the guys have drawn influence from their peers, yet at the same time the sound on offer is one which can clearly be labelled Invictus from here on, setting things in motion very nicely indeed, and getting the listener involved from the word go.
Moving out of the almighty opening moments, Zero comes up next, once again opening with a bass heavy, pulsating mix of guitar riffery, pounding drum lines and those hard hitting vocals. Packed to the rafters with distorted aggression, there’s no faffing about here, just a straight down the line dose of blunt force trauma, all wrapped up in a melodic and hooky mix of madness. Contrasting the raw screams with the melodic and hooky vocals of the chorus, this track is without a doubt a stand out moment on the EP, and a moment that’s sure to kill on the live scene. Matching the power with Lazarus, the EP continues on its distorted journey, continuing to show how these guys have received so much recognition, and why they’re destined for the big time. Continuing to showcase their signature sound packed with soaring vocals, raw screams, rumbling bass and heavy assed guitar work, there doesn’t seem to be any stopping the force that is Invictus as the EP progresses, continuing to set the bar damned high.
It’s only then left for Cimmerian to close things, finishing with one final blow to the head, packed with distortion, intricate lead lines and soaring vocals. Once again managing to balance out the power and aggression of their distorted outlook with the more clean and melodic moments of the chorus, the final track on the EP does what it should, summarising the EP, bringing things to a close, and leaving you with a serious taste for what you’ve just heard.
What can I say about Invictus that I’ve not already said above other than wow, talk about a band on a mission! As an EP this is impressive, but as a debut EP Unconquerable is particularly impressive as it’s the first offering, the first taste, and the first impression the world is going to get. Definitely a band with a hell of a lot of potential and one I’ll be keeping a close eye on, if this is the future of metalcore then worry not people, we’re in safe hands!
To find out more about Invictus, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls