Southern California's Son of Man formed in 2006, unleashed their debut self-titled 7" in 2010, and here we are four years down the road with its follow-up, Burn the Witch, on King of the Monsters Records. The EP opens up with a re-recording of "Child of the Morning Star," which appeared on their debut, and one can immediately note a significant step forward in production values. Everything's just a little punchier and more intense, while retaining a rugged sense of ferocity and remaining stylistically consistent with the band's self-titled outing.
For the most part, Son of Man builds upon a base of "holy terror" hardcore—complete with chugging, midpaced power chords, gruff vocals, chaotic leads, etc.—that should appeal to fans of Integrity, Gehenna, and the like. In addition, they'll occasionally expand outward with tinges of black metal influence via ringing, open chord phrasings; slower, winding dissonant riffs (see "Chiroptophobia," especially, which also delves into some "doomier" atmospheres); or gritty tremolo picking (notably during closer "Burn the Witch"). I don't have the physical release in front of me, so I can't get too specific regarding lyrical content, but it's seeming like the apocalyptic themes one would associate with this niche are more than likely the driving force herein. ("Your destruction is my rebirth, your death is my resurrection...")
The band is perhaps starting to introduce a smidge more musical variety overall, but by and large this is a straightforward and to the point slab of explosive metallic hardcore—cranking out four tracks in just shy of 12 minutes total. Hopefully we can get some more new material out of the group prior to 2018?
Comments
I have the first 7. Holy Terror mystery.
9.15.2014 | By Khalil Boulos