EP REVIEW: Two Minds – Old Selves
Given the sheer wealth of talent present in the UK heavy music scene, you can forgive emerging bands looking to get in on the action to play it safe in order to maximise their appeal. Such is the case with OLD SELVES. The Yorkshire metallers wear their collective influences on their sleeves with debut EP, Two Minds, being a safe, predictable but enjoyable listen.
An amalgamation of some of modern metal’s biggest hitters, from LAMB OF GOD to TRIVIUM and WHILE SHE SLEEPS, OLD SELVES‘ six song debut (well, four if you cast aside the customary introductory track and mid-record filler) is jam-packed of technical guitar flourishes, meaty grooves and a roaring vocal display that intend to put the band on the map. And for the most part, it works rather well indeed.
Following Sonnet For Sorrow‘s brief purpose of setting the scene, OLD SELVES roar into life with the title track as a flurry of vicious guitars inject a hefty dose of adrenaline to proceedings whilst Felix Manders-Wilde‘s vocal deliveries are strong enough to hold their own in the aural assault. The riffs on show here are the big winner for OLD SELVES as the band easily dispatch plenty of headbanging-worthy moments throughout the song’s runtime. A fine start indeed.
Meanwhile, Population opts for a more hardcore-driven approach with big swinging riffs flowing nicely alongside Manders-Wilde‘s commanding shouts and the expertly dispatched technical solo at the song’s conclusion is a nice touch, showing that OLD SELVES have a few tricks up their sleeves. Mid-record filler Lost serves as a nice bridge into lead single, 444, although it’s inclusion isn’t particularly necessary, but 444 more than makes up for it with the band showcasing their talents to the highest calibre. The track screams heavy influence from UK favourites WHILE SHE SLEEPS as the introducing melodic guitar lines and more melodic vocals pave way for chug-heavy riffing and a vicious onslaught of growled vocals from Manders-Wilde. It’s a trick the aforementioned WHILE SHE SLEEPS have perfected throughout their career and although what OLD SELVES showcase here is no way in any sense original, credit is due for the slickness in which they dispatch it.
Album closer Seat In The Hall is arguably the most original song on offer throughout Two Minds‘ duration as the band combine their more heavier moments with undertones of melody to create a memorable and driving finish to the record. It’s a solid end to the record and expertly represents the aural landscape of modern metal in 2021. And yet, if there is any criticism to lobby towards OLD SELVES, it is that although their sound is solid enough, Two Minds just lacks enough creative individuality to allow it to stand clearly on its own two feet. Showcasing your influences is perfectly fine, practically every band today does so in one way or another, but OLD SELVES allow their collective influences to dictate the course and feel of their music and it can be more of a hindrance rather than being beneficial. Riffs become predictable over repeated listens, the gang-shouted choruses (although emphatic at times) come straight from the playbook of bands who have been in the game far longer, and it can just dampen OLD SELVES‘ impact for the long haul.
Two Minds is not in any way a bad record. There is plenty of quality on offer here and if you vibe with the aforementioned influences, there is plenty to be enjoyed here. With some refinement and a clear sense of their own musical identity, OLD SELVES could be onto something special moving forward. For now though, Two Minds is a fine, but predictable, first outing for these young metallers.
Rating: 6/10
Two Minds is out now via self-release.
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