I’m a massive fan of the groove-based djent metal sound, and first impressions of Canadian outfit Auras are extremely promising. All the djent elements are present: the grooves are polyrhythmic, but strong and catchy at the same time; the guitars rumble and crush; and the vocals are delivered with throat-ripping intensity.
Across the five-track EP, the vocals are almost all dirty, but when the cleans finally arrive on last track Boundless, the contrast is a joy to behold. The musicianship is absolutely top notch, befitting the band’s chosen genre, and the production harnesses a crystal clear heft.
But is the songwriting up to scratch? Well, it’s certainly very strong. Crestfallen is an excellent collection of tunes in its own right, which stands firm next to some of the best that this sub-genre has to offer. There may be minimal melody from a vocal point of view, but the music more than makes up for it, ensuring this is a memorable release.
My only complaint is that, at just 19 minutes, the EP whizzes by, and you feel a strong need to turn around and hear it all again. Overall, Auras have come out with a very solid offering, which has me hankering for a full length.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
