EP REVIEW: The Apothecary – Archaic Decapitator

After a near three year hiatus, melodic death metallers ARCHAIC DECAPITATOR have returned to the fray with a brand new EP – The Apothecary. It follows on from their previous EP, Light Of A Different Sun, released back in 2016, and between both releases the band have recruited a new drummer and rhythm guitarist as permanent members, Gary Marotta and Chris Ridley respectively.

The Apothecary features just five tracks, kicking off with Circadian Promise. The track itself is only 43 seconds long and is only used as an introduction to the rest of the EP; a gentle keyboard instrumental slowly building up in tempo and volume to lead into Skyward. This is where the riffs and all those glorious metal elements come into play and the track goes into overdrive. Kyle Quintin really showcases what it takes to be the front man of a death metal band, his vocals putting the emphasis of the genre into the track. The melodic elements come into play as well with the keyboards and it all blends together very nicely.

If you thought that the band went from one extreme to the other with the way Skyward radically changed pace, then you’re in for a surprise with the following number Cruelty Of The Host Star. The riffs become even more crazy and the blast beats intensify to really get you headbanging. There are guitar solos aplenty and are all rather complex, and the vocals delve even deeper into the death metal side of the genre. The recipe doesn’t change for the final two songs; Diminishing Returns and the title track The Apothecary. There is plenty of death metal to fill your boots with, and the overall sound is very similar to the opening tracks within the EP.

It’s a shame that this is only an EP because ARCHAIC DECAPITATOR have really delivered something incredible. The record is a real highlight of what melodic death metal should sound like when it is executed in the right way and shows real promise for the future for the band. Definitely one to keep a close eye on over the next 12 months.

Rating 8/10

The Apothecary is out now via self-release. 

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