Source: EP Artwork
Encompassing both the heavier, powerful parts of metal and the elegant, lighter parts, Values bring their debut EP Broken Nation. The 5 piece band from Leeds have only been together for less than a year, but they have already brought out a driving yet emotive EP with some unexpected moments which tie it it all together.
The melodic interaction expressed throughout the EP is very strong and this isn’t reserved just for a soloist to shine through what can be tight and dense material. ‘Don’t Sweat The Small’ not only contains intense driving riffs with parts in unison, as the vocals fit over the top with a deep aggressive tone, but there are times which act as a melodic break with, one riff being presented with another used as a response.
This idea of spreading the riff pattern further across the instruments also occurs in ‘Adrift’, where the higher guitar tones are a greater focus, coming in between the deeper, distorted chords. Surprisingly most of the tracks end in a subdued manor, with more melodic ideas fading out rather than hard hitting chords and a fierce drum beat.
Even more out of character is ‘Alone’. Entirely melodic, instrumental acoustic material may seem out of place, but it’s the most expressive track on the EP. The absence of vocals and the distance that each musician seems to have from each other gives a strong feeling of space and aptly fits the title. The guitar again focuses on the higher tones whilst the other guitars play chords in a soft manor, along with the drums providing a smooth and chilled pulse which can come across as both cold and heart warming.
The EP is a perfect example of melodic metal, with a mixture of heavy riffs as well as extended melodies and delicate interactions all with deep, gruff powerful vocals. An expressive album that deserves to be heard.
