Bipolar

E.A.K. play what sounds like a mix of heavy metal, modern hardcore and sludge. I guess they're most comparable to hardcore bands like Botch and Converge, with screaming hardcore vocals and a some dissonance here and there, except with some very cool, jumpy heavy metal/hard rock riffs that give the whole first side of the split a very 'driving music' feel. There's also a clear sludge influence too, especially in the slower sections, but also the way that the band translates that old hard rock feel into a more modern sound, and also some of the strange drumming patterns (such as the drum rolls in 'Don't Step on My Toes') are quite sludgy aswell, E.A.K. are clearly influenced by bands like Iron Monkey.

They're pretty good, and fortunately they don't overuse the dissonance as bands like 'Clinging to the Trees...'. Their steps into abstract weirdness are well calculated and are only used when necessary rather than forming the whole song. That's right, don't worry, you're not going to be mistaking this band for Daughters any time soon. There are plenty of normal rock and metal riffs for people like me that enjoy, you know, actual music. And this is where E.A.K.s power really resides, the music is full of energy and as I said, makes great driving music. I'm not really feeling the vocals but I'm sure they're common place for fans of hardcore, overall I do enjoy this side of the split and would compare E.A.K. to more hardcore-influenced Mastodon.

Crushing Sun are similarly hardcore-influenced but don't really sound much like E.A.K, although they're a fitting band to join them on a split. The band call their music death metal alhthough I don't know that I really agree with that, they actually sound like a mix between Gojira and Lamb of God. The riffing is very metalcore except with a less than typical experimental edge bringing to mind Gojira's last two albums and (similarly to Mastodon), there aren't so many hard rock/heavy metal riffs on this side, it's much more crushing. The vocalist imitates Randy Blythe though (pretty convincingly aswell), giving the music that hardcore tough guy vibe aswell.

Crushing Sun's side is pretty much just as quality as E.A.K.s, and both bands compliment each other's styles pretty well. This isn't really recommended to people that only listen to underground death, black, grind etc. which my reviews are usually aimed at, unless you like some more mainstream styles aswell (as I do). Just look at all the comparisons I name-dropped...Botch, Converge, Iron Monkey, Mastodon, Gojira, Lamb of God, this should tell you whether or not you'll like this. Not essential by any means but a nice collection addition, I can see both of these bands going far on their route to success.