EP Review - Amongst Carrion : We That Should Not Be (2012)

Welsh metal five-piece Amongst Carrion have been working hard to make a name for themselves in UK metal, and their EP/mini-album ‘We That Should Not Be’ is a signal of intent by the band to catapult themselves further into the public eye. Hailing from Newport, the group unleash their debut offering onto unsuspecting ears, their heavy music a blend of pure metal joy, with many well executed melodic moments amongst the madness.

The record starts with a storm brewing on the horizon, threatening to erupt as delicate piano notes set the scene. ‘Shadows Over Me’ starts with a deep inward breath, before a colossal wall of sound arrives, with thrashing guitars and intense vocals, the sound immediately evoking the likes of Lamb of God and Parkway Drive. It’s a heavy mix with many mainstream acts in the melting pot, but the sound that Amongst Carrion have carved out is all their own. The song is hearty and thick, the drums pounding like a pneumatic drill. It’s a constant barrage of sound, where the low vocals are as good as the high screams, the additional melody coming from the guitars adding another dimension to the sound. A twist is taken with a great breakdown, and this is where the song is at its heaviest. 

‘We That Should Not Be’, the title track and mini-album centrepiece, comes in with octave chords and uplifting beats, creating a song that has the melody of Killswtich Engage and the white knuckle brutality of Whitechapel. The drums are insane, and the riffs chug along with fantastic energy, providing the band with a devilish sound that has great technical efficiency. ‘Painted Red’ has stop/start guitars, angst-ridden vocals and precisely placed melodic accents. The band are clearly a talented bunch with a real ear for what makes a memorable metal track. These riffs stick in the head and the soaring notes push the song on, keeping the listen well and truly hooked. A low growl brings in a heavy breakdown, which is a real kick to the teeth, and the final chorus fades away leaving a real lasting impression.

‘The Fear In Her Eyes’ is a combination of popular heavy bands such as Parkway Drive and August Burns Red, with relentless beats and riffing in a song that never lets up or allows the listener to catch their breath. Picked guitars fade in as the song gains momentum, with screams that are full of intense anger. ‘Snowblind’ starts at a fast pace, but feels slightly stagnant in the aftermath of what has come before, flagging as the album draws to a close.

This EP from Amongst Carrion is worth a listen for fans of British metal, but won’t do too much to stir up the scene at the moment, which is absolutely full to the brim with amazing talent. The songs are well put together and the band have carved out a sound for themselves, but the EP in full gets lost at times. Despite that, this band definitely have the potential to go further.