Source: EP Artwork
Ruthless rock band Massacres might be new to the game, forming only in the spring of 2015, but they’re determined to make an impact with their short but savage debut EP, Brutus.
We open with the familiar tones of modern metal, the new genre that has been molded into a blur of high-pitched, ball-grabbing vocals and monotone guitar screeches that are practically indistinguishable from one song to the next. ‘One of the Boys’ stays true to form, but thankfully pairs this formula with edgy vocals fuelled by attitude, revealing a breath of personality- what a relief! While they keep this typical American 21st Century metal sound in single ‘Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal’, they welcome a vibrant reckless abandon that is essential to British rock and, in this way, their London roots are clear.
As for remaining tracks ‘Death Knell’ and ‘To the Victor, the Spoils’, however, it’s all bark and no bite; with lots of dramatic energy we can imagine these songs would create a great live atmosphere but, when it comes to substance, they fall flat. There is no hook, no vigour and, most importantly, no real musical spark that makes them stand out.
Massacres do bring a sense of character to a genre often mocked by outsiders for its lack of diversity, and that twinkle in the eye could see them through. Let’s hope their music will eventually catch up to their personality.
