Hailing from Austria, Before We Get Buried plays intricate yet accessible metal core reminiscent of bands like Shai Hulud, As I Lay Dying and Zao. Though their influences are recognizeable, these Austrian gents aren't derivative. Their songs are well-constructed, creative and adeptly arranged.
Their latest EP, Emergency Broadcast, is now available on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and Deezer. It features 6 songs that flawlessly navigate the transitions between sung and screamed vocals. While countless mediocre metal core bands do one or either ok but the other poorly, Before We Get Buried are clearly songwriters, not clumsy song section compilers.
Further, vocalist Stefan Jakober is not a one-trick pony on the screamed vocals; showing terrific range from guttural lows to piercing highs that perfectly suit the song's needs. Lyrically, Before We Get Buried deal with themes like the quest for truth and meaning, the frustrations of imperfect relationships and stubborn hope in the midst of dark times.
The opening track Epiphany is a great choice to get things started. It features guest vocals by Ricky Amellino. The two singers weave their parts together well while the band alternately rocks and pummels. Next up is Truth and Other Rumors, which begins methodically with some nice guitar interplay.
The workman-like chugging continues on A Southern Cry. Dining on Ashes features another guest singer, Richard Sjunnesson, whose vocals also nicely compliment Jakober's. It begins at break neck speed, then instantly jolts into thunderous riffing. It finishes off with a nice acoustic picking part.
The 5th track Burnt and Built (see embedded Soundcloud player below) is my personal favorite from the EP. It features some tasty dissonant riffing with complementary climbing and falling lead guitar. Midway through, the band hammers you over the head with an intense breakdown while Jakober howls, "I am my own god and I hate it. I am my own god, it makes me so sick." That section is sure to inspire pile-ons and mosh mania when played live.
The closing track Copenhagen is the heaviest on the EP, seething with down tuned muscle and bristling with righteous fury. The tune shows Before We Get Buried exploring new sonic territory and is a sign of good things to come.
Based on the six tunes on Emergency Broadcast, the future certainly looks bright for Before We Get Buried. On their own, they've produced a stand out EP that I found myself giving repeated listens, which for me is always the litmus test for new music.
You can follow the band on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BeforeWeGetBuried) and find them online at http://www.beforewegetburied.com.
