EP REVIEW: Explorers – Unleash The Archers

Two years on from the release of their magnum opus, Canadian metallers UNLEASH THE ARCHERS are back with an interesting new project to bridge the gap between records. The Explorers EP is a 7” release, featuring two covers: Northwest Passage originally by Canadian folk singer Stan Rodgers, and Heartless World, by Canadian hard rockers TEAZE. With a lack of original material, does Explorers work as a fun release to keep the UNLEASH THE ARCHERS relevant while they work on the next full length, or is it a redundant offering? 

Side A of Explorers is devoted to video single Northwest Passage – initially intended as a bonus track on Apex. On paper, this really shouldn’t work – an a cappella song originally, the foundation of the song lacks the space for the band to dive into their high-energy brand of traditional metal. However, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS rise to the occasion and then some. Staying true to the a cappella roots of Stan Rodgers‘ original for much of the track, it allows vocalist Brittney Slayes to really flex out and display just how powerful her voice can be before the band place their signature high-octane stamp on the closing moments of the track. Something wildly different for the band, but a deeply intriguing offering. Meanwhile, Side B’s Heartless World offers a far more comfortable space for UNLEASH THE ARCHERS. Far closer to their own sound, they do a brilliant job of bringing TEAZE‘s classic into the 21st century, with a new dose of heaviness. However, despite coming from a stylistic origin more similar to the band’s original works, Heartless World fails to have the same anthemic, chest-pounding, tear-jerking effect as Northwest Passage.

Explorers is a brilliantly fun little EP, nicely bridging the space between Apex and UNLEASH THE ARCHERS‘ fifth full length – though lets hope the new album comes sooner rather than later. It will come as no surprise to see Northwest Passage become a mainstay in the live setlist for many tours to come, as the band have masterfully made the classic folk song their own – however, Heartless World is somewhat forgettable in comparison. Further, the nature of the release left the focus mainly on Slayes – and while it is a wonderful chance for her to show exactly how powerful a vocalist she is, the space for drummer Scott Buchanan and guitarists Grant Truesdell and Andrew Saunders to shine is notably missed.

Rating: 7/10

Explorers is out now via Napalm Records. 

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