EP REVIEW: Vol. 2 – Wall

Vol. 2, the second EP from Oxfordian riffsmiths WALL will have metal journalists rubbing their hands together with glee, able to pen all sorts of lines about ‘adding another brick’ to their discography or how this record ‘builds on the foundations’ of their first release, a self-titled EP that dropped back in January. We aren’t here to revel in such untapped pun potential – we’re here to talk about riffs.

Brothers Ryan and Elliott Cole know a thing or two about them, having sharpened their chops with both the best band to be based on an Alan Partridge character’s bike, DESERT STORM, and hard-rockers THE GRAND MAL. While Vol. 2 carries on in the riffy lineage of WALL’s first effort, it does something much more important – it sees the duo evolving and carving out their niche ever wider. 

Opener Avalanche is hefty and satisfying, trading off bouncing grooves – worthy of the rhythmic might of fellow power duo MONOLITHIAN –  with a call and response of driving, galloping riffs that pause only for scattered bluesy licks. There are shades here of fellow instrumental stoner riff kings KARMA TO BURN (more on this later), especially in the clattering, looping, tom heavy drum fills, but there’s a surprise in store as the track takes a left turn into moody and atmospheric guitar wanderings, nudged easily along by the right amount of restrained drums. When the heavy comes back in, its very strong, with a swagger and presence that eclipses anything on their first EP. 

The Tusk bucks with dense amp noise and guitar squeals, channeling Croydon’s finest SLABDRAGGER with a wall of noise before dropping into a stomping riff propelled by palm muting and a shatteringly simple one/two kick/snare pattern. Locking into big, swinging chords, we’re treated to a deliciously cheesy THIN LIZZY-esque dual guitar break to see us home. Speed Freak does exactly what it says on the tin; sprinting from a LED ZEPPELIN drenched classic guitar intro into breathlessly dizzying licks, expanding out into a headbang inducing mid section, peppered with bursts of double kick and furious snare. It’s a head down-charger, stripped back and straightforward, though perhaps the least rewarding and dynamic track on the record.

Now, back to KARMA TO BURN; sadly, back in April, founding guitarist and sole original member Will Mecum passed on (rest in power), a loss keenly felt in the metal and stoner rock communities. It would have been a loss all the keener to the Cole brothers – they’d shared stages and toured with Mecum as part of DESERT STORM. What could have been a more fitting tribute to a fallen friend than including a cover of KARMA TO BURN rager Nineteen? Especially one executed entirely perfectly – capturing the relentless spiralling riffs and building momentum of the original, all burly toms and unstoppable guitar climb, it channels Mecum’s smokey yet sublime guitar spirit, and stands as not only fitting tribute but also testament to how baked-in KARMA TO BURN are to WALL and DESERT STORM’s musical DNA.

Closer Falling From The Edge Of Nowhere’ is another delightfully unexpected left turn – a slice of weird. Slide guitar sits over stately acoustic strums, before amping up into a folky fusion, all hand claps and additional percussion (ringing bells for fans of DOWN’s Landing On The Mountains Of Meggido), it’s fantastically unexpected and a riff-palette cleanser of a sort.

Showing that the brothers Cole are ready to expand on the solid baseline of riffs they laid down on the first EP, WALL’s second effort is a canny, well made, deeply enjoyable effort that shows the duo have much more up their shared sleeves. Doing exactly what an EP should, it leaves you wanting much, much more. 

Rating: 8/10

Vol. 2 is out now via APF Records.

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