EP Review: alt. – Nevermore (Resist Records / SharpTone)

Adelaide alternative metal quintet alt. will release their brand-new EP, ‘Nevermore’, on May 15th via Resist Records (AU) and SharpTone Records (ROW). A concept record centred around a dystopian and desperate future where hope is a commodity, and an unnamed protagonist will start a revolution to finally try and topple a ruthless regime.

An ambitious record, it’s cool to hear alt. exploring concepts even if the dystopian angle/harsh regime/revolution idea is hardly original. Still, I like the story they tell here and they do it succinctly too. It’s not a record that overstays its welcome, and each track comes with impact. Kicking off with a powerful alternative anthemic effort called Twenty Seventy-Three, which is the year this story is set in. There’s a vein of tension running through it, especially when the chorus hits, resulting in something that feels like the start of a much bigger thing.

Keeping the anthemic qualities of their music front and centre, Blood & Wine showcases more of the punchy and noisy style that the band can deliver. Living and breathing alternative sounds, their ideas are imaginative and that is displayed impressively here. As well as on the energetic Passage, which has a strong latter section, and the intense Replicate, which is alt. at their most experimental, and heaviest, thanks to a beastly breakdown.

Each track furthers the story in an understandable way, without detracting from the listenable quality of the music overall. Story and tone working so well together. Especially as it reaches its epic culmination courtesy of They’ve Always Lived In The Castle and Sucker Punch. The former, while being on the nose story wise, delivers a clever effort that just so happens to be so anthemic, so energised, and has a banging chorus too. One of my favourite. Whereas the latter wraps things up in fiery fashion, albeit with some cool pop-infused twists along the way.

Be prepared to have this one stuck in the head for a while afterwards, but I think you could say that about the entire record. Bravo alt. It’s a record well worth hearing and I’d love to see the band explore more concepts in the future as it certainly gives the EP a bit more focus.

alt. – Nevermore Track Listing:

1. Twenty Seventy-Three
2. Blood & Wine
3. Passage
4. Replicate
5. They’ve Always Lived In The Castle
6. Sucker Punch

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