Year: 2021
Total Time: 18.31
Label: Epictonic Records
I’ve been into Industrial metal for 28 years and into Metal for 35 years. At the point that I thought I’ve had heard it all, came “Day Of The Woman” release, from the South Africans (actually a one man band) 800 THROATS (what a name!) to tell me “never say never”. This is the band’s second album and I’ve never really heard anything like that. The band says that it combines a heavy guitar with stylistic electronic slogans and dark, industrial atmosphere and that this is the future sound of our doomed existence. Their lyrical content explores our addiction to technology, violence against women and current trends in society. This EP is designed to make the listeners question the world around them, while at the same time slapping their throat to head tunes with catchy riffs in the process…
I really think that they are right on the subject of the lyrics, but musically they do not even know what they want to play. It’s like a “hotchpotch” between Industrial and Metal with riffy guitars. The vocals are a bit into Death Metal but, in fact they have been pitched down three (at least) levels plus the distortion that exists in large doses, without this necessarily being a bad thing. The singer talks more than he sings and there is no trace of rhythmic melody… There are several industrial samples and a simple drum machine without complexity and processing of its sounds in all 4 songs that are contained in the EP.
If their music reminds me of something, that would be TREPONEM PAL, GODFLESH (regarding their guitars) and some 90s releases of Devotion Label (a sub label of Music For Nations records) such as DEEP THROAT, CHEMLAB, BOMB EVERYTHING, especially in terms of production that is completely dry, without any volume and with a complete lack of bass. But what is the paradox? They all sound very clear as separate parts, but as a whole they just do not blend.
Regardless the cons that I’ve mentioned above, their music is not repulsive to the ear as you may have never heard the style that they are playing, so make an try and listen to them, especially the song “Day of the Woman”. However, if they do not improve some things in the future and if they do not decide what exactly they want to play, I do not think they have a future. After all, Epictonic is just a big promotion company and obviously they have paid to promote their self-financed material.
Rating: 5/10
Editor: Dimitris Argyrakis
Related Link: 800 THROATS – Bandcamp Page
