Perth based Progressive Metal / Rock Band Icreatedamonster delivered their EP – Blisstonia recently and I was pretty keen to get my teeth into the EP. I had seen a sneak peak of their music video (on social media) for their track – “Eulogy and was pretty impressed.
It is a 6 track EP, which is less than I am usually treated to but I am a stickler for quality over quantity so the bar will be raised to compensate. The Album has some powerful additions – both Sean Labru and Paige Savill add their influence to tracks 2 and 6 of this of Heavy Metal journey that is “Blisstonia”
I cue the first track and let it roll – “Spaceship to Blisstonia”. I am hit with this fast-paced number with power leads of the guitars / bass with a dash of drums. I am comparing this experience to a “dark and heavy version” of Limp Bizkit with a sprinkle of Amity Affliction, whilst still maintaining its uniqueness. The lyrics were throaty, the tempo intense with a cheeky transition in the centre of the first track which was unsuspecting but very cool. I felt like I had come from out of the storm, parted the clouds and into the sunshine. A great start to the opening track, I was looking forward to the next instalment.
“Red Label” had an intense melodic hook in it, I am not too sure how it caught me but I felt like this song could be in a horror movie – creating fear, dread and suspense. It had some cleverly placed effects and crafty bridges that seem to create a heap of emotion without the use of words (in certain sections they were extremely powerful). I would imagine this song would make a cinematic masterpiece for a music video. My suggestion is don’t listen to this song by yourself in a big old empty house in the dark!
There were some amazing traditional vocals in “Crescent” – track 3, they wandered in and out of the whole track from start to finish. Like a finely stitched suit the vocals in this track held everything together seamlessly (pardon the pun). The song had a powerful mid-section with guitars / bass blazing, I would have loved to have seen the drummer in full flight with this track (looking forward to seeing it live)
More up tempo were both “Wildfire and “False Gods” these tracks had dark lyrics and a really exciting mix of heavy vocals with uplifting tones. I love the sampling of traditional heavy metal and progressive, it was refreshing and I appreciated the thought process put into it. The EP up to this point had a real distinct pathway, a progression from out of the darkness into light – a transformation from cocoon to butterfly. There is something you wont hear on a metal EP review too often!
This brings me to the jewel in the crown………”Eulogy” – I firmly believe that any decent EP needs to finish on an emotional cliff – either up or down but it needs to be asking the listener for more! and this is that song. One of my favourites on the EP; which by the way has a really well crafted music video clip to match (make sure you check it out on Youtube). The lyrics lock in together with this melodic metal journey with the help of Paige – her skill to bridge to two streams and make one was a perfect choice from the lads from “Icreatedamonster” – well played. It was an emotive roller coaster fitting of the song title, remember the good times and the bad of those whom had been lost….. a fitting end to an EP.
In summary – it satisfied my need for metal and emotion, a healthy combination of both. The EP was structured in a methodical way that was easy to follow and didn’t keep me guessing which direction I was heading. There was a solid balance of “power vocals” and “throaty lyrics” to keep it even but unique. I would love to see them live and would gladly pay for a ticket. Keep an eye out for this group as I believe there is still more metal goodness to come.
If you love your progressive metal you need to check them out. Another amazing Perth product.
8/10