Affliction

Among legions and legions of underground metal bands, quite a few try to do something different and break away from the norm of their respective genres. Some fail. However, this is a tale of success and triumph. So what does these Canadian lads have to offer? Read on.

First the riffs. They are obviously very melodic. In the title track of the EP, the main riff progresses from a low pitched to a mid pitched and then finally a high pitched state. It is essentially the same riff. However, the effect of this simple progression is overwhelming. There are tons of creative, catchy riffs and melodies on this small EP. Solos are quite melodic while retaining their technical nature. The bass is very clear. The bassist gets many chances to shine. For example, in the end of the title track, when everything is at full speed, a really great bass lick comes in and makes the end of the song perfect. Also, in 'Leviathan' the bass is an important part of the main riff itself.

The vocals are pretty much your typical melodeath vocals, though a tad bit more aggressive. High pitched shrieks, low pitched growls, all executed perfectly. During the high to low pitched guitar riff I mentioned, he matches his vocals to the guitar and takes the same route. The drums are powerful and pretty much get the job done. The drummer adds blast beats and double bass accordingly to the riffs and vocals. The best part about this release is it's grabbing atmosphere. The melody that comes in towards the end is very beautiful and I can't help but hum along. Don't let the words 'melody' or 'beautiful' throw you off though. During the same part, the rhythm guitars are heavy and crushing as hell so the aggression is retained.

There are only two complaints. Firstly, the first half of 'From Tribulation' isn't as impressive as compared to their other songs. It's not bad or anything but I know that the band could've composed it better. Secondly, despite the abundance of riffs, the songs get a bit repetitive. However, I am just nitpicking here. This is a great EP. It is available for free on the band's website which is great for people who don't have access to the band or are cheapskates (me falling in both categories). Definitely recommended to anyone who likes melodeath and is craving something a bit different.