EP Review: Lycanthrope – Hydra

By DAN SOUTHALL

AUSTRALIA has been an awesome breeding ground for metal of all kinds for almost as long as I can remember, but the last 15-20 years have been particularly fertile with a lot of bands aiming beyond the local bowls club and pub and aiming for a crack at the US and Euro market en masse. Hailing from NSW Central Coast region, Lycanthrope is another band eagerly climbing the barriers to entry having won an Australian/NZ Metal Battle spot to perform at Wacken Open Air last year.

On first listen you can hear the confidence that the experience has had on the band as Lycanthrope has refined their modern metal/metalcore sound into something sharp and familiar to the ears. “Built On Glass” sees vocalist Daniel Grieg in full voice, channelling audible anger at someone or a certain group of individuals that leaves the listener wiping the spit from their face. Quickly switching to the vocal cleans for the chorus does nothing to dull the anger on presentation.

Ratcheting up the venom, “The Human Virus” is obvious with its intent and social commentary angle. Heavy subject matter demands heavy music and the band have supplied just that. This is only a short EP and this is the heaviest and best track here.

Lycanthrope winds it back a little from here, starting with a lighters-in-the-air feel before easing into heavier territory. “Move Mountains” is a track that is sure to get its hooks into any parent or guardian as it talks about just how far one should go to protect those they love and how much those sacrifices mean. This one sounds like it comes from the heart and with parental experience.

Meanwhile “Senses Betrayed” has the band almost completely drop the metalcore in favour of something far modern rock orientated. It fits in with the other tracks on display here although metalcore it isn’t. Still too heavy for modern radio, its single kick stomp is the kind of thing that is required to cleanse the palette when a band is trying to get themselves noticed further afield.

Now is the time to get behind this band and show them support, before they get whisked away to lands afar, only to return for the odd tour.