- Exploding onto the local progressive metal scene are Sum Of Us with their debut release Sharp Turns in Dark Tunnels. In just shy of sixteen minutes, the band displays technically impressive performances, creative songwriting, emotive lyricism, and a clear personal style within the four track EP.
Sharp Turns in Dark Tunnels is very likely the most succinct way of describing the quintet’s musical qualities. Yet there should be little surprise to those familiar to the local progressive metal scene: Sum Of Us boasts a lineup of seasoned veterans within the scene with vocalist Bryce Carleton (of Kodiak Empire), drummer Dane Pulvirenti (of Osaka Punch), and Jasper Webb (of Red In Tooth). Their sound isn’t just defined by this experience however, as guitarists Jeremy Field and Jamie Swanson deliver top riff after top riff on the entire release.
Those riffs announce the EP from the get-go with the first track First Yawn, a galloping four-minute chugger which immediately displays the band’s talents and tells a dark story of self-discovery. Guitar riffs are perfectly accented by the technical yet musical drum parts from Pulvirenti while Carleton’s vocals stitch the contrasting sections together with his characteristically melodic and imagery ridden lyrics like “Inner dialogues merciless tongue / Sing the chants of your first yawn / Beauty to a scorn / It’s a rose to thorn.” Dissonant chords are braved and the scratching guitars close the track.
No sooner does First Yawn finish than the borderline catchy track Eleven Tigers begin. Even as the most straight forward track of the EP, Sum Of Us still skirt the line between the accessible and the technical and complex. Each time the listener could perhaps settle into the pattern of an expected verse-chorus-verse-chorus, the band makes Sharp Turns in Dark Tunnels live up to its name. Consistency is the story of the remaining two tracks, Forrest and Carousel. Continuing to tease the listener with repetitive patterns, the band delights in throwing a new tonal centre or time signature in their audience’s face. But again, this is not surprising given the member’s history and their influences such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Meshuggah and Karnivool.
Sharp Turns in Dark Tunnels is a thrasher of an EP, but as noted in the mini-documentary the band released on their social media, it has been a rocky road to release. Previously performing (once) under the name The Occupant, the band (primary members at this stage being Dane and Jamie) took a long hiatus as members pursued travel and life interests, all the while writing and storing riffs for a rainy day. Pulvirenti even lets on being “nervous” about the project given the amount of time and effort that the members have invested into the project. However the investment has been rewarded with a truly polished first release, and judging by their first show last May, the band will be gathering fans in no time.
- Peter Strasser.