EP REVIEW: End Of Ordovicia – Silurian
Blackened death metal trio SILURIAN arise from Minneapolis to spew their vitriol and disgust upon the world. Led by Lucas Scott and comprised of members of prog death noiseniks SUNLESS, and black metal purveyors GRAND DEMISE OF CIVILIZATION and SUFFERING HOUR, End Of Ordovicia has the distinct accolade of (somewhat ironically) being the very first release from Ordovician Records.
The opening track – from which the EP gets its name – is largely par for the course in terms of what you’re probably expecting coming into this, stylistically speaking. Evil tones played at blistering pace and impaled by a deluge of unhinged drums and guttural roars. There’s a hefty dose of technicality slapped all over this as well – the riffs and instrumental breaks are brilliantly bewitching and bewitchingly brilliant in equal measure. The fact that so much has been packed into these four minutes is staggering, and they’ve managed to make what to many may be a challenging genre, genuinely enjoyable to listen to.
Because as much as SILURIAN labels themselves as blackened death metal, End Of Ordovicia showcases a mind blowing array of influences and direction in just three tracks. Most notably, much of the lead guitar tone belies the genres of black and death metal, giving the EP a spectacular lightness without skimping on the ferocity you would expect.
Gondwanian Sacrifice in particular is a monstrous track but the tone of the guitars is so rich and full-bodied that it feels like a deluxe edition of blackened death. Scott’s solo toward the middle builds with a sense of hope, before being swarmed once again by those crushing drums and unstoppable basslines. Meanwhile Dylan Haseltine’s terrifying vocals top-and-tail this to supreme effect, making your time on the track feel like you’re driving straight through the eye of a hurricane.
Eurypterid Emperors gets all wonky on us and employs mathy, proggy alternating time signatures and mind-bending turns of passage in the first few minutes. The middle of the track throws everything including the kitchen sink into the mix; a heady, claustrophobic amalgam of everything the trio of Haseltine, Scott and drummer Patrick Ruhland can muster. The track and indeed the EP ends with a series of anguished wails that borrows far more from the sludge and doom wheelhouses, evoking the likes of AMENRA or CONJURER in the EP’s bleakest and most emotionally wrought moment. And while that may sound a bit patchwork, it’s delivered with such poise and finesse that it absolutely makes more sense than it ought to.
End Of Ordovicia is a whistle-stop EP that shows promise and proficiency by the bucket load. Lasting just 13 minutes and change, listeners will definitely be left wanting more. The experience of the three members is wrenched into the spotlight and cavorts on its macabre stage with all its might. Infectious, vile and bruising, but simultaneously enjoyable, tantalising and irresistible, SILURIAN have laid down a phenomenal gauntlet in the EP stakes this year.
Rating: 9/10
End Of Ordovicia is out now via Ordovician Records.
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