EP REVIEW: Sorry About The Plague – Knife Bride
There are few bands who are capable of turning metalcore into a sound that not only stands out, but delivers. When such a group does emerge, they instantly stand out. KNIFE BRIDE are quickly becoming one of the fastest rising names in British metal currently, as with each release and tour, the Brighton based outfit continuously expand their stage presence and larger than life sound. Sorry About The Plague whilst short, evidently continues this evolution, as these five tracks are the most mature, melodic, and catchy the four-piece have ever sounded.
Sorry About The Plague begins with Alone At The Altar, a groovy riff led track which showcases just how versatile vocalist Mollie Clack has become. The chorus is explosive and completely irresistible, and the verses showcase a vast array of vocal styles. The breakdown here introduces the first of the harsh vocals performed by guitarist Sean Windle in combination with contrasting soft vocals Clack performs with such finesse. The song ultimately ends with the typical third chorus which is slightly adapted to add a brief element of surprise in the near four-minute-long EP opener.
Lilies is the shortest of the five tracks and the use of the synths gives this song a hip-hop vibe, which is a very different approach to songwriting for KNIFE BRIDE. The chorus once again delivers a huge uppercut, but it is the breakdown which steals the show. It is melodic, over heavy, and is very similar to a guitar solo. It is rhythmical, but the lead guitar takes centre stage as a long drowned out note is played over the rhythmic elements of this breakdown. This section returns to also wrap the song up, but this time with the addition of vocals, making this song a true stand-out.
The following song is Porcelain and kicks off with one of the heaviest riffs the band have ever written, before the stripped back drum led first verse kicks in. The chorus on this track is without a doubt the best the four-piece have ever written. It is loud, anthemic and catchy. Everything a chorus should be. In the second verse, the guitars become more prevalent which leads not only into the always satisfying hook, but also to the breakdown. This time, there is a bridge which leads into the breakdown, which just like the track that came before it, combines lead guitar work with rhythm guitar work. This gives this breakdown a slightly more eerie sound which works incredibly well with the ambience of the overall song, and the placement of this musical section, as this is how Porcelain ends, without a final chorus.
This EP is an absolute blast. Each track is short and concise, with Porcelain having the catchiest chorus the band have written, and with the breakdowns throughout being thumping, and heavy as they should be. Some more variety would be beneficial, as with only five songs, and all of them being heavy as well as following a similar metalcore structure, a softer, more rock leaning song could work, as it could give the listener a breather between the chaos.
Despite this, the quality of these songs are clearly above anything KNIFE BRIDE have written before, and that the band are constantly finding ways to evolve. It is this evolution which is clearly what the Brighton group are after, as the improvement is fully evident. With songs like these, the four-piece have not only fulfilled their potential, but have gone far beyond it, proving that the band are deservedly becoming one of the hottest current British alternative music stars.
Rating: 9/10
Sorry About The Plague is set for release on April 24th via self-release.
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