As They Burn are back.
After seven years of absence and nine years since their last album, the band created in 2007 in Paris and composed of Kévin Traoré (vocals), Luigi Marletta (guitar), Ronald Pastor (bass) and Milton Bakech (drums) announces the release of Ego Death, their new EP.
Unable To Connect, released earlier this year, is the first contact with the band’s sound, but also the one which will reassure all the fans: the band still have the same recipe. The energetic and catchy Metalcore basis combined with simple but effective Nu Metal and Alternative elements welcomes vindictive screams and clean vocals, creating a unifying chorus just like Missing Pieces, a composition which quickly lets its influences show. The track offers very soft and haunting elements which will be crushed by the final break, driving us to the last chorus, then to V.I.T.R.I.O.L, a mysterious and dissonant track. Soaring riffs combined with heavier elements create a rather dark sound which won’t hesitate to let itself be guided by violence and screams, while Monster unveils modern and groovy elements to strengthen the quite raw and jerky riffs. The multiple influences melt together, supported by some diversity and different vocal parts, especially on the final one, followed by Ego Death, the eponymous track, which lets darkness invade some heartbreaking riffs. Melancholic tones are also integrated on the track’s second part, then Angel comes to close the EP with Post-Hardcore influences which perfectly fit the more violent roots, but also this disturbing voice that calls for the final explosion before leaving us.
Silence allowed As They Burn to evolve and find its motivation. With Ego Death, the band obviously lets the raw rage speak, but the EP also picks into more haunting and heavier influences to create a rich sound.
85/100