EP REVIEW: Arcane Evolution – Unburnt

It is criminal for a debut EP to sound this well executed. Arcane Evolution is a polished slab of death metal by Canadian bruisers UNBURNT. The expertise which can be heard on these blistering four tracks boils down to the fact all band members are seasoned musicians. Honing their craft in the likes of SAMSKARAS, DERELICT, ODIUM and WE ARE HUMAN, the goal was to explore a different style of death metal to these other bands. The result is UNBURNT – a dark and blackened cacophony of brutality.

Opening track A Reason To Live begins with a ferocious beast of a riff. Vocalist Eric Burnet sounds absolutely monstrous on this EP and holds nothing back on this first song. The blackened chorus gives UNBURNT a menacing edge, but the metallic breaks make A Reason To Live sound huge. It’s impressive how immediately all components of UNBURNT gel together. This sets the high standard for the tracks to come. This track acts as a warning to timid listeners and invites the fearless along for the ride.

Blast beats galore pummel the listener in Superiority In Wisdom. The relentless energy and venomous bile spat out by Burnet create a devastatingly brilliant track. Stomping riffs and commanding vocals make for a terrifying mix. The song title almost hints at the band’s collective experience and their confidence in delivering their new sound, threatening their contemporaries with the merciless assault they offer.

Unbelievably the band surpass themselves with the staggering Sorrow-Bearing Enemy. Dissonant tones plunge UNBURNT to further depths of savagery. The guitar work by Bo Louther is spectacular on this track, riffing like the love-child of DYSCARNATE and NIGHTMARER. Arguably the most concise song on the EP, Sorrow-Bearing Enemy cuts straight to the point. It features a rich dynamic which completely fills your ears, resulting in an infernal sensory experience.

Arcane Evolution concludes with its riotous title track. A myriad of styles steamroll you into submission until the very end. Tech death rears its ugly head for some filthy riffs before it drops into a brutal slamming surprise. The violent climax provides a stunning finale for Arcane Revolution, a debut EP full of lethal potential. If this record takes off and UNBURNT gets a promotion from side-project to fully-fledged band, there will be few complaints.

Rating: 8/10

Arcane Evolution is set for release August 16th via self release.

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