Ambrius are a relatively new British Metal band, featuring former Tempestora/Oakhaart members Sam Shiers (vocals) and Jason Deakins (guitar). Although Ambrius display enough of Oakhaart’s Technical Death Metal style to keep former fans interested, the addition of Michael Perks (bass) and Alex Hawes (drums) helps to take the whole thing into much wider, more varied territory on this, their debut 6 track EP.
Ambrius’ willingness to incorporate orchestration and piano immediately shows the band’s intentions right from the start. They don’t shy away from acoustic passages either, that when juxtaposed with their ultra-aggressive Melodic Death Metal side, gives them their own personal angle. Mixing harsh and clean vocals with technical progressive minded Metal give Ambrius a flavour of Mercenery and Into Eternity – the occasional high vocals adding to the latter comparison as well as both band’s willingness to keep the listener guessing musically.
Each track (except the emotive piano intro) weighs in at over 6 intricate, unpredictable minutes, each one full of technical, speed-driven guitar work weaving its way around the dynamic bass and powerful, super-tight drums. On top of this Shiers varies his vocals well on every track, the harsh side delivered with venom and animosity, whilst his clean register note-perfect and smooth. Spoken parts, high screams and harmonies add even more to the mix, pushing Ambrius even further out from the crowd.
I like to hear a Metal band that can’t be pigeon-holed or put in a neat little box, and Ambrius are happily intent on kicking the sides down of every box anyone tries to put them in. There’s everything from Technical Melodic Death Metal through to Dark Symphonic Power Metal on display on “Effigies Of Time”, and so much in between. Each aspect of their sound delivered with conviction and innovation, delivering powerful, interesting tracks that remain unpredictable and unrelenting.
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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