EP REVIEW: Prologue – Sixth Wonder
SIXTH WONDER‘s debut EP is about the band’s experience in the music industry. Built around the concept of the four main themes of realisation, contemplation, antagonism, and escapism, the five-track EP introduces the alt-metal band to the world. Although they only formed in 2021, their unique sound of self-styled “djent pop” mixed with cinematic fantasy has already earned them a number of accolades and shared stages with the likes of DREAM STATE and FUTURE STATIC. SIXTH WONDER‘s debut EP is aptly titled Prologue, as this is just the start of an exciting part of the band’s career.
Opening song Thorn starts off with a haunting melody before erupting into a heavy guitar riff and screamed vocals. There’s a great blend of screamed verses and sung choruses, showing off vocalist Rebekah Kirk‘s range. The song ends with a piano outro, which transitions into the electro-metal of Ropeburn, which, in theory, not work because the two genres are at opposite ends of the musical spectrum. But SIXTH WONDER are smart enough to blend the electronic sound into the band’s usual metal sound. This doesn’t disrupt the flow of the EP, although the electronic side of things does get a little lost in the middle of the song as it’s overwhelmed by the fast-paced riffs.
Guts shows a heavier, more industrial side of the band, with guttural screams and some of the heaviest instruments that the band have played. It smoothly transitions into the interlude Feed The Hand, which is a welcome break from the chaos and shows a softer side to the band, complete with operatic vocals and a haunting instrumental. Closing song Death Departed is a mid-tempo song that continues to show the softer side of the band by focusing on singing and rock-influenced instruments. However, there are still moments of the heavier side of the band. The song brings the EP in full circle, and is a fantastic ending to a brilliant debut EP.
Overall, Prologue is a fantastic debut by one of the most exciting up-and-coming bands in metal music. SIXTH WONDER do not play by the rules; instead, this EP shows every side of the quartet whilst not boxing them into one genre. This leaves the door open for further experimentation down the line. Although the EP is varied in sound, this doesn’t affect the pacing. Despite one song near the start having the electronic elements overwhelmed by the metal riffs, the rest of Prologue runs like clockwork. This is just the start for SIXTH WONDER.
Rating: 8/10
Prologue is out now via self release.
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