I really liked this band’s EP “Vilos” (2013). It was fresh, challenging, full of ideas and altogether a very good selection of technical progressive metal. The lads from Glasgow haven’t given us much to go on this time with this this two ten minute track work but it’s nice to hear from them again.
I should have guessed that the 10 minutes isn’t wasted in any way. Although it’s slightly less quirky than “Vilos”, which was a slight disappointment, it has umpteen changes of pattern which suggest disorganised irregularity but whilst it’s irregular, it’s certainly not regular. The previous album I listened to was a piece of potentially comparable technical prog djent which eventually turned into musical wallpaper. This is the complete opposite. I lost count of the styles and even thought I heard some Swedish Melodeath in the riff at one point but it’s irrelevant as whether it’s pumping djent or the more usual complex and sophisticated technicality. It’s always going somewhere even if I haven’t got a clue where. There’s a story in it even if there seems to be no apparent pattern or continuity but I’m convinced there’s a story. The vocalist impressively throws in more growling energy. After 5 minutes of the title track there’s an explosive burst before it quietens down with a suggestion of jazz. There’s a kind of self-indulgence about all this metalcorish technicality but it’s gripping and interesting in its form.
The second track “Pinbacker” has a growlier edge but it’s still stop start. I’d say this more conventional than “Who is the Fifth?” and other things I’ve heard by Colours to Shame. The build-up has a kind of rock structure but again it’s exciting, and it reminded me a little of Omnium Gatherum and those Finnish melodic bordering-on-black metal bands in the way that it’s all so urgent, dark and desperate.
Not much to go on here but again I recommend this band to you. Their music is always technical but this never stands in the way of the fact that they are creative and have something to say. They help themselves with good production too. Colours to Shame don’t play in straight lines and don’t bother with conventions. They just play a hot brand of something. I like that.
(8/10 Andrew Doherty)
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