EP REVIEW: The Next Wave – MMXX
2022’s Sacred Cargo heralded the arrival of multi-collaborative doom metal project MMXX. At its core is a three-piece featuring members Andrea Chiodetti, Jesse Haff and Egan O’Rourke. This guitar, drums and bass powerhouse featuring ex-FORESHADOWING and members of DAYLIGHT DIES was supplemented by SWALLOW THE SUN‘s Mikko Kotamaki and Mick Moss from ANTIMATTER and SLEEPING PULSE.
Coupled with these two, other musicians featured prominently across the album formulating a doom metal supergroup. The ten-track debut offered up a fine collection of melody-laced doom metal combining an excellent ensemble of the genre’s musicians, however, it’s clear that there was some unfinished business for MMXX. The type of collaboration instigated allows for multiple ideas to germinate and there are always pathways that begin yet may remain unexplored in order to allow the album to assemble smoothly and cohesively. That is the purpose of The Next Wave, a three-track epilogue to sign off the debut master work.
The atmosphere generated from the opener Isolation picks up perfectly from where previous album closer Shadow Haven left off. A swirling ambience of gothic-tinged doom metal embedded with a strong catchy melody is the order of the day here. When the Kotamaki‘s vocals come to life adding an extra weighty dimension to proceedings it’s clear that this EP is more than just tidying up studio offcuts from the debut.
That’s the essence that MMXX have captured with The Next Wave. These three tracks are far more than just an afterthought. The anthemic lead single of Alone illustrates that further, with Mick Moss once again featured. It’s a little lighter than Isolation in terms of sonic delivery, however the gothic dark edge is just as sharp with the vocal lines and the melody is still doom-laced while offering more to a wider audience. By retaining guest musicians who appeared on the debut album, MMXX have ensured that there is a connective flow between releases. The ambience generated by the mix again allows for this creative bridge to be fully realised.
The striking thing is the quality of the three tracks. As already alluded, this isn’t a hap-hazard rehash of ideas that were not good enough for the initial album, but rather three high quality tracks that stand on their own merit while forming a well-rounded culmination to what was a weighty project. With the closing notes of Alicia Nurho’s vocals on Echoes, MMXX have successfully built upon the foundations they laid last year by producing a fine addition to their catalogue. If this release is to prove the close of a chapter, then they are certainly closing on a high. Similarly, if this sparks further collaborations and releases for them then The Next Wave is an ideal springboard to retain attention on this excellent multifaceted doom project.
Rating: 8/10
The Next Wave is set for release on April 14th via Candlelight Records.
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