EP REVIEW: Split EP – Iron Reagan/Gatecreeper
Relapse Records comrades IRON REAGAN and GATECREEPER are two solid bands of the modern metal underground. IRON REAGAN‘s crossover thrash has spawned a loyal following with last year’s Crossover Ministry continuing to boast their razor-sharp sound whilst GATECREEPER announced themselves to the death metal scene with 2016’s criminally underrated Sonoran Depravation. Now, whilst differing in sound and style, the two bands have united to present a Split EP featuring eight new tracks of sonic mayhem.
IRON REAGAN take charge of the first half of the Split EP with five tracks of visceral and intense thrash. Warning sets the tone of the EP right from the get-go as the band explode into breakneck speed with manic thrashing riffing and Tony Foresta‘s iconic vocal barks. Clocking in at just over two minutes, it’s a short but explosive affair and sets the stage nicely for what follows. Paper Shredder keeps the momentum flying in full swing through a tearing opening salvo before whirling into a solid mid-tempo chug from guitarists LandPhil and Mark Bronzino that is just trademark IRON REAGAN and gets the blood pumping whilst Take The Fall is a another raging track packed full of explosive drumming, neat and punchy guitar-work and plenty of bite in the vocal department through Foresta‘s leading lines and ample use of gang shouts. Hitting in at just 43 seconds and being the shortest track on the record, Proudly Unaccountable is a quick bout of explosive thrash before subsiding effortlessly into Burn For This which rounds off IRON REAGAN‘s contribution to the Split EP through a solid execution of hard riffs that keep the head banging throughout.
With IRON REAGAN setting the pacing at breakneck speed, GATECREEPER‘s offering on this Split EP is quite a different ball-game. Reeking of that old school death metal sound, Daybreak kicks things off serving as a slow introductory instrumental track that builds anticipation through swinging riffs but whilst it sets the tone for the band’s upcoming contributions, it does feel a tad unnecessary and a wasted inclusion where time is very much of the essence. Thankfully, Dead Inside rectifies this by being one of the strongest songs on the record. Right from the off, GATECREEPER launch into an incredible barrage of buzz-saw riffing that packs one hell of a punch which is enforced further with the triumphant double bass drumming. Chase Mason‘s vocal deliveries are also spot on here, delivering his guttural growls to devastating effect, it’s one hell of a solid track, one which really showcases that GATECREEPER live and breathe for death metal. Similarly, the final track of the Split EP, War Has Begun is another solid slab of death metal goodness. Offering a slightly slower affair this time around, more in the same vein as OBITUARY, the track’s swinging momentum from blistering riffing to a sludge-driven crawl keeps you absolutely hooked in the murky atmosphere. That, and with a technically intricate lead riff towards the track’s conclusion demonstrating the skill at the band’s disposal, it marks a strong end to the EP if ending rather abruptly, leaving you desperately yearning for more.
Overall, the Split EP from IRON REAGAN and GATECREEPER is a dense package of fresh material from two of Relapse Records‘ shining stars. For fans who are desperate for new material, this Split EP should be enough to whet appetites and the only real complaint is that upon its conclusion there is an insatiable hunger for more. But, despite its short duration, the material on offer here demonstrates two bands who excel at their craft and the experience is 18 minutes of sheer sonic mayhem.
Rating: 7/10
Split EP is out now via Relapse Records.
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