EVERYTHING AFTER ZERO — Everything After Zero (review)

EVERYTHING AFTER ZERO — Everything After Zero album cover

EP · 2010 · Metalcore

3.5/5 · 2011-02-21
Andyman1125

Spewing metal all over the place.

Everything After Zero is a relatively new avant metalcore band from Canada who released their debut EP last year (2010). Within the EP are 6 tracks (and an opener) that are, well, all over the place. The band fuses progressive elements with metalcore and mathcore elements as well as a multitude of other spices for a rather unique blend of music. Overall, the EP blasts the band out into the metal music scene on a rather inventive note, while putting a generous amount of ringing in every listener's ear.

The album's starter Hey Man I Know is a mellow ambient minute long track that does not reflect what the rest of the EP will be like. At all.

After the opener, Chiasmus blasts forth with a blend of tasty jazz metal, metalcore, and even a healthy dose of rap metal (odd fusion, I know). With a generous dose of all-over-the-place riffs and bopping bass lines, the track truly exemplifies the avant nature of their music. The band certainly isn't afraid to whip out the music they really like, as they find no trouble switching from intense metal to melodic and quite beautiful sections. Overall, the track is the epitome of all E.A.Z. can do, and provides a nice "overture" to what kind of music can be found on the rest of the EP.

Away From is a little more mellow, but still packs quite a bit of punch once the song really starts up. It has a more sweeping feel, bringing out their strong progressive influence. Overall a nice song, complimenting some of their more melodic influences.

Porky's Rant is virtually the opposite of Away From, bringing out their heavier influences with an intense display of near deathcore intensity. The song features some of the heavier riffs and some slightly avant sections. Overall, another good track, but slightly all over the place in a less than admirable way (but only slightly).

Palate is in the same strain as Porky's Rant, fusing much more intense metal, with some cool guitar passages added. It is certainly one of the more progressive tracks on the album, with much more instrumental virtuosity added into the tracks for some interesting solos and cool tapping sections. Overall, yet another great track to a so far great debut.

King of the Hill is one of the most metal tracks on the album. The majority of the track is just heavy riffing with non stop intensity. Although the track may be lacking in some the inventiveness some of the other tracks had, it is still a very strong track.

Seize th Day opens kind of harshly, with an atonal vocal/guitar duo, that rings on a negative not in this music freak's ears. The track quickly recuperates, however, but still lacks in the creative edge that the rest of the EP had. As a closer, the song isn't the best, and as a single track it also lacks a bit, but still can kick some heavy duty ass.

ALBUM OVERALL: Everything After Zero certainly knows how to make some intense music. Throughout this EP, the band fleshes out quite a bit of metal, mixing in a multitude of different flavours, from progressive metal to rap metal to just avant-garde music in general. Overall, the EP has very strong points as well as some low points, making for a strong, but not essential release. 3+ stars.