The UK is a breeding ground for hot, new, unsigned talent right now in the world of metal and rock – Exitum are just one such unsigned band, having gained a substantial following – principally through online means and not by playing shows (although they managed to bag a support slot for Malefice on their latest tour.)
Exitum’s first EP is very much a collection of songs exhibiting their sound – metalcore in the vein of Trivium, Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying, frenetic guitar riffs make way to clean choruses providing a great contrast so-called “making the heavier bits heavy and the lighter bits lighter.” This approach works well on Exitum’s debut EP although it is clear that the band’s sound has yet to fully mature musically this EP represents a pleasing start.
The juddering rhythms of EP opener – ‘Flatline’ open the album with a smack around the face whilst the razor sharp riffing and atmospheric soloing of ‘Consumed by Light and Destroyed by Fire’ are very reminiscent of Trivium’s Heafy/Beaulieu guitar duo, expertly building the song up to a final climax.
If there’s one niggle to be had with ‘Exitum’ it is that, being self-financed and recorded, the EP’s drums often seem to overwhelm the guitars and vocals in volume and, additionally sound very ‘flat’ in the mix. However, this is no faults of the bands music and their debut EP consistently offers up top quality metalcore, it will be interesting to see what music the band produce in the future.
Check out the EP yourself below!
For fans of: Trivium, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying
