One of the great things about being somewhat close to two scenes is that you just might see the same band in two different places. This is the case with small/death metal newcomers Mulciber, having seen them in Pittsburgh once opening for Castrator, but eating pizza and unable to take videos or photos. Then, not long after, seeing them open for Revocation and Krisiun in Youngstown, but making sure to crush my pizza FIRST. That’s how you do it, son!

Anyway, Thomas and Redefining Darkness Records, who are having a hell of a year, have a good, young, vibrant metal band on their team, and we’re talking about their upcoming debut EP, Misery of One. Try to keep up.

It’s only 5 songs in a little over 15 minutes, which is sufficient to tease what a full-length may entail, while also leaving you wanting more. Kind of the point of a debut EP, no?

Since it’s only 5 tracks, it better get going immediately, and it does with “Caught in Fire.” The trademark snare sound is there, although certainly not as pinging as many other albums in this same brutal death metal category. In this first track, where it stands out is the quick change at 1:20 in, which transitions into a quick Internal Bleeding style slam before an excellent guitar solo takes over. Then Bill’s vocals take a decidedly Frank Mullen/Suffocation turn.

The second track sounds a little different, but no less blistering. The groovier sections, including the tease of a breakdown about a minute and a half in, then the actual breakdown at about 2 minutes in, make this track worth the price of admission alone.

There’s only one track on here that eclipses the 4-minute mark, and that’s also the 4^th track, “Christ, Deceiver.” The bass, while present throughout this excellent recording, has an even more noticeable presence here during the verses. What’s different on this one is the foreboding sense, not unlike what many deathcore acts have achieved with the presence of background synths. Here, though, it sounds to me like it’s just the guitar. I could be wrong, but how likely is that? Anyway, if you’re listening to this album and reading the review, you came for the slams, and you get one to end the track.

As mentioned above, this EP is a great teaser for what is most likely to be one hell of a debut from Mulciber. I enjoyed this very much, as I have enjoyed them live. Check this out and along with me, you’ll be hoping that full length comes sooner rather than later.

 

[Visit the band's website]

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