Album Review: Circles - The Compass EP

Despite recently signing to stalwart UK metal label Basick Records, Circles couldn’t actually come from much further away, calling Australia home. Distance aside, however, their sound is a great fit for the label. The band describe describing themselves as ‘progressive metal’ but ‘groove metal’ works equally well with all of the pre-requisites present; razor-sharp production, impressive technical instrument arrangements and ‘that’ guitar sound.

For all of that, first song ‘The Frontline’ starts out with an almost cheesy modulated synth before the djent-tastic riff weights in; it works in its way but it’s definitely something of a surprise. Epically-minded, it’s possibly not the strongest opening song but with keyboard strings sensitively woven around the syncopated, angular guitar lines and touches of electronica in the gentle middle-section it still has a decent flow.

Second track ‘Clouds Are Gathering’ sees them really hit their stride and shows off the bands ear for a catchy chorus, something that they are seldom short of throughout the EP, with ‘Eye Embedded’ and ‘The Design’ also particularly effective in their delivery of a hooky melody to crown verses full of momentum and intent. Final track 'Ruins’ sums up the band aptly; the song beginning with an atmospheric clean section before delivering a smoking chorus by way of a funkily-chugging verse.

What is most striking about Circles is perhaps how accessible they are, both heavy and surprisingly tuneful at once with Perry Kakiridas’ vocals relying on sung melodies rather than screamed assaults, but mixing both with ease. The über-tight production may turn off metal purists who will argue that at times there could be a little more soul but really, this is an EP of consistently high quality. It’s probably a little too early to say yet whether the band will be able to truly separate themselves from the recent glut of compressed, down-tuners but on this form the omens look good.

4/5

'The Compass' by Circles is released on May 16th through Basick Records.

Official Website
Circles on Facebook and MySpace.

Nick Worpole