EP REVIEW: Nocturnal – To Octavia

In Melbourne Australia, 2018, an idea was born. From these roots, sun-core metallers TO OCTAVIA were formed, leading with debut single After All. 2019 sees them return with their maiden EP Nocturnal, an emotive blend of metalcore, pop and alternative rock that convulses with the requisite confidence any band’s first release should. Clearly influenced by the likes of POLARIS, SWORN IN and NORTHLANE, their trigger happy cordiality already presents itself with a charming draw – music destined to be enjoyed on outdoor summer stages.

My Confession opens the EP with an aggressive outset, instantly leaning towards the heavy side of the band’s repertoire. Thundering drums and wrenching panic chords wage war upon traditional metalcore riffs, allowing the first minute of the record to become full-scale riot. Until the chorus, where the dynamic shifts neatly into clean vocals and washy guitar with a well placed transition. The track then continues to ebb and flow, closing with ever deeper textures. Made To Break is next, with it’s bouncy chorus and PIERCE THE VEIL-esque cleans sounding joyous against space-age drums and tidy breakdowns.

TO OCTAVIA aren’t traversing new territory here, but the fact that they have already toured with the likes of THORNHILL, ALPHA WOLF and AWAKEN I AM after less than a year in existence is no accident. They slot neatly into the thriving Australian metal scene, adding to the diverse and impressive talent pool the east coast in particular has produced in recent years. Nocturnal serves its purpose well, placing TO OCTAVIA on the map and highlighting the potential they command.

Heads have already turned with lead single XIII, which although far from perfect sits proudly as a diamond in the rough. Heavy, sharp and intelligent, it may not place TO OCTAVIA in a position to compete with their better-established peers, but they can confidently mark off step one on their crusade. Much the same could be said of Breathe, After All and Do You Feel The Same (I Wonder), each one a meandering venture with larger-than-life choruses and engaging instrumentation.

However, the EP’s most surprising treasure sits hidden right at the final breathe. Closing the record is piano-driven ballad, Epilogue. Haunting beautiful, it is a bold statement from a band clearly willing to step away from the norm and dismantle any preconceptions. TO OCTAVIA have a lot of ground to cover in order to truly establish themselves, but Nocturnal is exactly what they needed to kick-start their pursuit.

Rating: 7/10

Nocturnal is out now via self-release. 

Like TO OCTAVIA on Facebook.