This certainly came out of nowhere. It’s an EP, not a new full-length, but new Necropanther is all I, and hopefully by extension, you need to know. Before really getting into the meat (dead panther meat, I guess) of the EP, this is exactly what I want from this medium. I’ve always thought of them as being the place where bands can branch out and try something new. I’ve obviously already spoiled the fact Necropanther does just that.

On the first track, “The Denver School,” their fast, thrashy Skeletonwitch-isms are front and center. The main riff is bouncy and everything has its proper place in the mix. However, after the solo, some experimentation comes in with the downright sexy saxophone of Rico Jones. I did not see that coming. It’s not just a one-time deal, either, as they’ve truly made a place for it to breathe. Even with the sax, this song takes me back to the rest of their flawless discography, but also to my high school and college days listening to the previously mentioned band in my hometown.

The next one, “The Transported Man,” is where they get quite experimental. It’s not as though the band hasn’t touched on doom previously, but an 11-plus-minute foray takes it to another level. It begins with a sludgy, plodding riff, which also showcases the bass, and low bellows. As I am an unskilled guitarist, I am unsure of the effect used during the next section, which also extends to a slow solo, extended, bluesy lead. There are no vocals for several minutes during this. The lower bellows continue to be the dominant vocal style, low and buried almost into Incantation territory. After a short section with those vocals, it’s back to solo territory.

In case you had forgotten where Necropanther thrive, it’s on those black thrash numbers, and the album closes out with two in a row. Before this review had even been started, I already purchased the CD and a multi-colored patch. I already have all of the others on CD and I wasn’t about to do the band or myself a disservice not owning the new one. I keep waiting for these gentlemen to break it big. They self-release everything, have great art, and killer tunes. I’m assuming they’re choosing to go the DIY route because I can’t imagine labels haven’t came calling. Scoop this up and tell people you knew them before they were big.

[Visit the band's website]

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