Scythia
Scythia say that with their latest EP they’ve tried to capture their live sound, moving away from fancy post production sound effects and extensive guest musicians in favour of capturing the energy and excitement of the actual band. Since we were put on to their new EP, For The Bear, I was looking forwards to seeing what was on offer from these guys and whether the sound was indeed that of a band doing what they do well.
Opening with Sailor’s Accolade we’re sent off to nautical style opening, pipes paving the way for the track to get going and not giving away what’s coming up next. Growing in power as the track grows around you, the vocals come into to lead the way soon enough and suddenly we’re sent to a world where the guitar combines with the pipes, the vocals tell the story and we’re thrust into a folky mix of metal guitar vocals and raw, aggressive vocal lines. The mix achieved here is one that captures the sound of the band for sure, showing what we could expect if given the chance to get out to check them out for ourselves. Moving on to Fierce Riders Of Scythia the theme of strange elements combining with the metallic edge continues. Powerful guitars once again combine with the backing pipes as the vocals adopt a style which keeps you engaged from start to finish. The ability to combine elements here is quite frankly stunning, resulting in a mix which will sit you back and make you gaze in wonder at what you’re hearing.
Title track For The Bear marks a slight change in the progression of things, opening with emphasis on the guitar work and moving into a section full of bass rhythms, jumpy guitar lines and a real sense of upbeat power. Shifting into a powerful melee of guitars, drums, bass and chanted vocals, it’s impossible to resist the sound coming from the band, presenting us with a track that you’ll be singing along to within a couple of listens. It’s easy to see why this is the title track of the EP as it seems to mark a high point on the record, showing what the band are capable of and leaving no doubt that they’re an act to be reckoned with. Black Death continues the high point of the EP with aplomb, throwing us into another track full of guitar hooks, layered vocals, and moments that will have you singing along without a doubt. Showing off their understanding of melody and how to craft songs which will appeal to fans of all genres, this track stands out as a veritable showcase of the bands style, almost showing us what’s in the pipeline and suggesting that there’s still a hell of a lot to come from them.
Dies Irae Pt 1 changes the approach of the band slightly, fading out to a mysterious sound to open before ushering in a soaring lead line from the guitar, hammering out a line that will leave guitarists feeling inadequate but fans going mad for what they’re hearing. Once again launching into a pounding combination of rhythm lines, pounding bass, hammering drums and upbeat riffs, this track soon resumes the normal journey and we’re once again shown the true colours of Scythia. It’s incredible that this is an instrumental track for the majority of the opening section, as you don’t notice until they come in, and suddenly present a new dimension to the track. Once again this is something which really struck me, the bands ability to use musical instruments to tell the story. Mattawa Reel presents us with the penultimate track on the record, opening with more pipe work before throwing in a hammering guitar line just to reiterate their point. Once again forming into mix which is sure to get crowds moving, this is a track which personally, I think is going to find its full form on the live scene, it’s got that feeling of being something exciting to watch.
Video Game Medley closes the EP and, as the name suggests, presents us with another of the finest tracks from the EP, showing off the musical ability on offer in the band and letting us know that there’s a side to this band that we didn’t see coming at the start of the record. Fast and intricate notes flow out of the speakers, the bands sound coping with them with aplomb and showing off a serious degree of musical ability within the group. Standing out as one of my favourite tracks from the EP, this is one to check out, just to see how the band have achieved it!
I didn’t expect to hear what I heard from Scythia, but from start to finish this is an EP which offers up surprise after surprise, moments which you don’t expect and moments which will leave you sitting back and wondering how they’ve done it. Closing with a video game medley was a brave move, but one which seems to have worked well for them – not something I thought I’d ever say! Definitely a band to keep an eye on to see what comes next!
To find out more about Scythia, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Sailor’s Accolade we’re sent off to nautical style opening, pipes paving the way for the track to get going and not giving away what’s coming up next. Growing in power as the track grows around you, the vocals come into to lead the way soon enough and suddenly we’re sent to a world where the guitar combines with the pipes, the vocals tell the story and we’re thrust into a folky mix of metal guitar vocals and raw, aggressive vocal lines. The mix achieved here is one that captures the sound of the band for sure, showing what we could expect if given the chance to get out to check them out for ourselves. Moving on to Fierce Riders Of Scythia the theme of strange elements combining with the metallic edge continues. Powerful guitars once again combine with the backing pipes as the vocals adopt a style which keeps you engaged from start to finish. The ability to combine elements here is quite frankly stunning, resulting in a mix which will sit you back and make you gaze in wonder at what you’re hearing.
Title track For The Bear marks a slight change in the progression of things, opening with emphasis on the guitar work and moving into a section full of bass rhythms, jumpy guitar lines and a real sense of upbeat power. Shifting into a powerful melee of guitars, drums, bass and chanted vocals, it’s impossible to resist the sound coming from the band, presenting us with a track that you’ll be singing along to within a couple of listens. It’s easy to see why this is the title track of the EP as it seems to mark a high point on the record, showing what the band are capable of and leaving no doubt that they’re an act to be reckoned with. Black Death continues the high point of the EP with aplomb, throwing us into another track full of guitar hooks, layered vocals, and moments that will have you singing along without a doubt. Showing off their understanding of melody and how to craft songs which will appeal to fans of all genres, this track stands out as a veritable showcase of the bands style, almost showing us what’s in the pipeline and suggesting that there’s still a hell of a lot to come from them.
Dies Irae Pt 1 changes the approach of the band slightly, fading out to a mysterious sound to open before ushering in a soaring lead line from the guitar, hammering out a line that will leave guitarists feeling inadequate but fans going mad for what they’re hearing. Once again launching into a pounding combination of rhythm lines, pounding bass, hammering drums and upbeat riffs, this track soon resumes the normal journey and we’re once again shown the true colours of Scythia. It’s incredible that this is an instrumental track for the majority of the opening section, as you don’t notice until they come in, and suddenly present a new dimension to the track. Once again this is something which really struck me, the bands ability to use musical instruments to tell the story. Mattawa Reel presents us with the penultimate track on the record, opening with more pipe work before throwing in a hammering guitar line just to reiterate their point. Once again forming into mix which is sure to get crowds moving, this is a track which personally, I think is going to find its full form on the live scene, it’s got that feeling of being something exciting to watch.
Video Game Medley closes the EP and, as the name suggests, presents us with another of the finest tracks from the EP, showing off the musical ability on offer in the band and letting us know that there’s a side to this band that we didn’t see coming at the start of the record. Fast and intricate notes flow out of the speakers, the bands sound coping with them with aplomb and showing off a serious degree of musical ability within the group. Standing out as one of my favourite tracks from the EP, this is one to check out, just to see how the band have achieved it!
I didn’t expect to hear what I heard from Scythia, but from start to finish this is an EP which offers up surprise after surprise, moments which you don’t expect and moments which will leave you sitting back and wondering how they’ve done it. Closing with a video game medley was a brave move, but one which seems to have worked well for them – not something I thought I’d ever say! Definitely a band to keep an eye on to see what comes next!
To find out more about Scythia, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
