‘…immediately exciting to listen to; their sound is both intensely relevant and wickedly unique…’
Formed in Groningen and based out Mainz, Sharpened.Lives originally started as the solo project of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist ≠, with childhood friend ? on drums. However, over time, the project has morphed into that of a fully-fledged band, with ¿ completing their line-up on bass and backing vocal duties.
From this position, the band stepped forth late last year with their first EP of original material, ‘st//tches’. The band list sonic influences from emo to EDM, and that eclectic blend has begat a collection of tracks that brings both raw, infectious punk energy, and a surprisingly complex progressive flair.
Opening track ‘O.R.A’ immediately bombards the listener with bruising, thunderous, industrial-tinged riffs that are carried by outrageously danceable rhythms. A particularly ridiculous breakdown is heralded with a sound bite from The Shining, with the band delivering a dark theatrical flair that one might expect from the likes of Ice Nine Kills.
In sharp contrast to this obscene display of energy is the follow-up ‘drifter’, which pushes things in a far more melodic and groove-oriented direction. Immensely catchy choruses feel as though they have been pulled right from your favourite 00’s emo outfit, whilst the back half of the track sees the band delve into a sprawling, evocative, progressive sound.
The rave-fuelled bombast returns with the claustrophobic anthem ‘breaking point’, with its blown-out, distorted guitars, electronic touches, and swaggering grooves. The danceable energy takes on another form entirely with ‘bauunterlage.’ bringing bouncing samba rhythms and a slick, viciously rapped verse from Mystaken. It’s pure chaos, and absolutely shouldn’t work, but the band manage to make this hurricane of sounds thoroughly enjoyable.
It’s not all about the chaos, however. Sharpened.Lives manage to build extensive emotive weight through their intricate musicianship and theatrical vocal delivery. ‘drifter’ hints at this capacity, but it is the progressive closer ‘trenches’ that truly delivers on this promise, wrapping up this body of work in a rousing yet deeply entertaining manner.
‘st//tches’ is an EP indicative of a band wholly unafraid of pushing their own creative boundaries, experimenting with the very fabric of who they are. The result makes Sharpened.Lives immediately exciting to listen to; their sound is both intensely relevant and wickedly unique, compelling you to get up and dance, mosh, and cause some mayhem.
RATING: 80/100 – Very Good
For Fans Of: Bring Me The Horizon, Static Dress, Sleep Token, Periphery, The Used
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