ALBUM REVIEW: Perseus 9 – Epimetheus
Bristol is well established as a hot bed of metal talent. Not quite as illustrious as say Birmingham. However, it’s eclectic venues draw in all manner of musicians and bands coalesce creating exciting sounds that capture the attentions of many far and wide. One such trio, taking inspiration from their local surroundings as well as popular pulp science fiction is EPIMETHEUS. Having been regulars of the local scene, sharing stages with a variety of other acts. EPIMETHEUS have combined an array of influences into a sonically charged, drop-tuned doom powerhouse. Raw and gritty and taking sonic cues of entrenched repetition building on themes and textures to create a hefty debut in Perseus 9.
From the off, EPIMETHEUS launch into the realms of unrestrained science fiction. Earthbound opens with an atmospheric wash of feedback, a looming rhythmic pattern that forms the foundation for the driving groove. Lyrically the song makes no secret of the topic, words of warning over system failures and abandoning ship as a story unfolds of a capsule falling from the heavens. As the layers build and the rough dynamics shift with the song unfolding EPIMETHEUS delivery hard sci-fi with a fantastically heavy soundtrack.
The opening track is not an anomaly. Throughout the album, EPIMETHEUS fully embrace the concept of pulp science fiction. They incorporate spoken word passages of intense subject matter set in space and when combined with the brooding bass and guitar, the music takes on some genuine air of jeopardy. They have crafted songs of twisting rhythmic groove and each instrument looks together delivering a singular vision. It can be hard to penetrate the lyrical aspect, but the riffs and rhythms can help unlock the album. The two longest tracks of Held No More or closer Terraform are at first appearance swirling masses of space fantasy. However, they can be simply enjoyed as colossal doom rhythms that offer a compelling woven picture of textural and dynamic shifts.
While many doom bands seek to build on melodic hooks. The power of Perseus 9 is in the absence of such decoration. It’s minimalist, with the trio concentrating on serving up strong, unrelenting rhythmic grooves layered upon each other to generate a captivating sound. Make no mistake, this is a heavy album. Powerful in its construction and delivery, yet it is not overtly aggressive. Tracks such as the standout Drift Beyond and the utterly captivating title track are prime examples of how they execute this. Other bands may look to serve up a wall of sound that punishes the ears. The subtly of multi layering and repetition employed here serves to EPIMETHEUS‘ advantage. Enabling them to produce music that contains menace and weight while coming across as deceptively straight forward.
Heavy enough to create its own gravitational pull, Perseus 9 is solid slice of science fiction inspired, doom drenched metal. As a debut it’s an excellent marker for how EPIMETHEUS can grow. A foundation of power from the three-piece and gives room for dynamic development. Raw and intense and, for a down tuned three-piece, delivering moments of wide expanse. This album has all the hallmarks of being a cult classic that will get the Bristol band on the radar of plenty of metal fans.
Rating: 7/10
Perseus 9 is set for release on February 6th via self-release.
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