Category: EP Reviews

Categories
EP Reviews

Mimi Barks

Mimi Barks

‘Dreamstate of Fear’

Follow us on Social Media

MIMI BARKS – DREAMSTATE of FEAR – EP REVIEW

Having originated in her native Germany, a move to London saw genre-defying Mimi Barks craft her own unique sound which she calls DOOM TRAP. In recent years, numerous releases have helped to establish this industrial blend of rap, metal and trap. Now Barks elevates the sound even further on new EP, ‘Dreamstate of Fear’.

Barks is unfiltered on this EP, literally, as its released on her own imprint DEATHKISS Records. The vision and ambition of an artist hyper focused on the world she has created around her, this untamed and fearless attitude is the spark that ignites this intense new collection.

Opening song ‘Dreamstate of Hell’ sets the tone and each track thereafter brings about the emotive, ferocious sonic suckerpunch that Barks is now known for.

If you’re yet to discover this exciting new artist, then ‘Dreamstate of Fear’ feels like the ideal jump on point.

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold

‘STATICA’

Follow us on Social Media

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – STATICA – EP REVIEW

Surprise releases aren’t always as surprising as new Avenged Sevenfold EP, ‘STATICA’. The band have become increasingly experimentative in recent years and their latest album, ‘Life Is But a Dream..’, really proved divisive amongst fans.

This EP laughs in the face of that albums divisiveness and says hold my beer! Electronic, futuristic, robotic and unlike anything the band have ever released – this will test fans for sure.

If you played this to an unsuspecting metal fan and asked them who it was, a surprising volume of responders would likely fail to pick out Avenged Sevenfold. Especially prior to the third of four tracks, ‘REJOICE’, which does bring some semblance to their recent outputs.

Time will tell if this is the band getting their experimentation out of their system before their next album cycle or if this is a teaser for what does come next. Either way this will get people talking, speculating and looking towards that next chapter!

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

Sleep Theory

Sleep Theory

‘(E)MOTIONAL (S)UPPORT (C)ARE (P)ACKAGE’

Follow us on Social Media

SLEEP THEORY – (E)MOTIONAL (S)UPPORT (C)ARE (P)ACKAGE – EP REVIEW

The release of their debut album, ‘Afterglow’, last year really helped to catapult Sleep Theory into orbit and onto the radar of astute fans of heavy music.

Packed shows and festival appearances have followed, and the band are certainly being looked at as that fabled next big thing. What does a band do then to follow this up? A covers EP!

Maybe not the most obvious next move but following the acclaim for their NSYNC cover ‘Bye Bye Bye’, it’s not a bad shout either. Comprised of that track plus takes on Paramore’s ‘My Heart’ and Taylor Swift hit ‘Cruel Summer’, the three track collection flashes past in under ten minutes.

Each cover is credible and for a bit of mindless fun, ‘(E)MOTIONAL (S)UPPORT (C)ARE (P)ACKAGE’, fills some time nicely as the band continue their rapid ascent!

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

Every Hell

Every Hell

‘The People’s Republic Of Hell’

Follow us on Social Media

EVERY HELL – THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF HELL – EP REVIEW

Following their debut EP, ‘Vertebrate’ in 2024, Every Hell looked towards a debut full-length album but instead arrived at the concept of a new EP to truly act as a state of intent before going for the big bang.

‘The People’s Republic of Hell’ takes four enormous tracks, each a worthy single to provide that statement. ‘Let Me Go’, ‘Catching Thunder’, ‘Bane Of The Bear’ and latest offering ‘Ironclad’ all stand tall on their own, but together they make this EP a real kick down the door moment.

The band brings plenty of experience in the heavy rock scene and will naturally still be finding their own sound and their own identity. This EP certainly feels though that they are close, which means that excitement will only build towards that inevitable debut album.

Mission then you’d say is achieved with this atmospheric beauty of an EP from your new band to watch Every Hell!

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

BIG SPECIAL

BIG SPECIAL

‘O’JOY!’

Follow us on Social Media

BIG SPECIAL – O’JOY! – EP REVIEW

Over the course of their two studio albums, ‘POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES’ and ‘NATIONAL AVERAGE.’, BIG SPECIAL have already staked their claim to be one of the most frank, visceral and fascinating bands of their time.

The pace of their releases and associated rise has been swift and they are already back with another record for fans to get their teeth into. This time in the shape of an EP (although traditionalists may argue that ten tracks and thirty minutes is an LP not an EP), ‘O’JOY!’.

There is a mixture of tracks that didn’t fit their two albums and some recent singles such as ‘PLAINTIVE NATIVE’, ‘SLUGLIFE’ and ‘DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side)’.

There is therefore a natural familiarity to the EP, albeit a disjointed one with the clever pacing of their albums limited by the varied origins of these tracks. Arguable there isn’t much that will stand out beyond those singles, but at the same time if these are so called offcuts then this does again highlight how valuable this duo are as songwriters of these troubling times.

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

THE HOWLING

THE HOWLING

‘SALVO’

Follow us on Social Media

THE HOWLING – SALVO – EP REVIEW

Out of the ashes of previous bands comes THE HOWLING. The band have just announced themselves on the scene with a support slot across the UK and Europe with Creeper, and now they share their debut EP, their opening salvo – ‘SALVO’!

With frontman Mikey Lord and co bringing a dark cinematic aesthetic and a theatrical style to not just their music but their entire package – that obviously feels like a match made in heaven (or perhaps the depths of hell mwahahaha). It’s time now however for the band to show what they bring to the table.

Well, that would be big sing-a-longs and an ambitious punk-tinged sound which these five tracks demonstrate perfectly. You can really feel the passion put into these tracks and the desire to build a world around this new project.

‘SALVO’ is therefore a fine opening offering and is a really exciting sign of what’s to come!

Watch Episode 76 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests THE HOWLING!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 76 – THE HOWLING

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

Dead Pony

Dead Pony

‘Eat My Dust!’

Follow us on Social Media

DEAD PONY – EAT MY DUST! – EP REVIEW

2024’s debut album, ‘IGNORE THIS’, was a breakthrough statement from a band already turning heads. Now with their latest EP, Dead Pony are out to reinforce that in fact they simply cannot be ignored!

The title-track led the way and served as a reminder that they have already cultivated a standout sound which harnesses the best of modern rock with added indie swagger and punk attitude.

The EP as a whole however seeks to further reinforce the notion that they defy genre. When such obvious and yet varied influences can be identified it can sometimes feel like a band is seeing what will stick without really knowing what they are, but with Dead Pony you sense the opposite.

This is a fluid sonic explosion designed for maximum impact and with the likes of ‘Freak Like Me’ manifesting in such catchy way it is seemingly going to be impossible to ignore the band. So, if you’re late to the party – ‘Eat My Dust!’ is the perfect opportunity to familiarise yourself with the force of nature that is Dead Pony!

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

KNIFE BRIDE

KNIFE BRIDE

‘sorry about the plague’

Follow us on Social Media

KNIFE BRIDE – Sorry about the plague – ep review

2023’s debut EP, ‘don’t dream too much’ introduced us to the world of KNIFE BRIDE. Creating a cinematic universe of their own that weaves throughout their music, the band engaged fans enough to earn bigger opportunities and begin building their reputation.

With impressive sets at Download and 2000trees in 2024, the end of last year saw them begin the road to their second EP, ‘sorry about the plague’ with lead single, ‘alone at the altar’. Insatiably catchy, the track sets the tone by opening the record and revealing an expanded sonic ambition.

Harnessing the melodic devastation of modern metal music, this EP is bigger and bolder than their debut and really finds a band pushing themselves musically and lyrically. Thematically the album continues their look at the human condition and the emotions and experiences that shape us.

With emotive writing and blistering riffage throughout, there is plenty to get invested in on this EP. This feels however like just the beginning for KNIFE BRIDE!

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

Our Nameless Boy

Our Nameless Boy

‘Thorns’

Follow us on Social Media

OUR NAMELESS BOY – THORNS – EP REVIEW

After a deeply personal debut album introduced Bristol-based alt-rockers Our Nameless Boy to the world in 2021, they return with a new EP taking aim at the state of this messed up world!

‘Thorns’ as a collection is designed to invoke empathy and understanding at a time when nobody seems to care and nothing seems to make any sense. As such these four tracks feel very immediate and demand your attention.

‘’38’ and ‘(Not In My Name)’ bring this passionate plea to life with great energy and a targeted dose of rage. The title-track and ‘Little Bird’ then introduce a more thoughtful and elegant ambience to the sound whilst maintaining the same sense of lyrical direction and dissection of the human element.

Considering that, it’s a grand achievement that once again the band deliver a record that is at its very core… human.

Watch Episode 84 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Our Nameless Boy

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 84 – Our Nameless Boy

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!

Categories
EP Reviews

Blush Puppy

Blush Puppy

‘HERE YOU DREAM’

Follow us on Social Media

BLUSH PUPPY – HERE YOU DREAM – EP REVIEW

Having featured Blush Puppy in our 2026 ‘Ones to Watch’, we were excited to hit play on their five-song debut EP, ‘HERE YOU DREAM’. Such a release is always a big moment for new bands, and this EP gives listeners a great first impression of what this group are all about.

One of the things that stands out is that these songs feel truly collaborative. The tracks are cohesive and the vocal interchanges help to generate a communal sense of hope and togetherness.

Lyrically exploring the varied and shared challenges of life with an emotive connection, these tracks will offer a good degree of relatively and understanding to listeners. Musically these songs are as solid an example of how to do modern alt-rock as you could expect from any debut release.

With renowned producer Adrian Bushby steering the band through the recording, that shouldn’t be a surprise. Indeed, the rock is rocky and the pop is poppy. There are various genre’s merging together here and each adds fascinating textures to a well-rounded and expertly produced set of songs.

So enjoy this record and make sure that you do keep watch as we suggested, because on this evidence Blush Puppy are going to be making some positive noise!

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

Check out our two Podcasts!