Project Description
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OF MICE & MEN
‘Timeless’
EP Review
(1st March, 2021)
Reviewer – Connor Gutteridge
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Of Mice And Men // Photo – Travis Shinn
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2020 was a weird year for everyone on this planet with times of isolation and unknown around every corner, however, in the shadows of this truly unprecedented time there’s lots of room for a rise in the music industry. While bands have had time away from touring many have taken this time to write and record new music for their fans. Californian natives Of Mice & Men have taken this opportunity and kicked off 2021 with the release of their new E.P ‘Timeless’.
Short but sweet is the theme for this record containing only three tracks but feels to be an accumulation of all the sounds they’ve used over the years. From the sounds and styles used in the early days all the way through to the previous release ‘Earthandsky’ which was released in 2019. It really feels like the band have truly found their sound after the departure of long-time singer Austin Carlile back in 2016. Vocalist Aaron Pauley has stepped up and the band have been thrown into a more rock driven metal style that fans have known and loved for years now.
The first track from the record in the title track and the second pre-release released track, ‘Timeless’. This track is a hard-hitting head banger that has similarities to previously released music from the last record, however, has its only distinct feel and uniqueness to it. Making it hard to explain. The vocals as usual with Of Mice & Men are mainly harsh style growls with a melodic chorus that sits nicely in Aaron’s mid-range. The song opens with an arrangement of ambient sounds before bursting through the door with low chugs on the guitars and hard-hitting drums to go along with it. I really enjoyed how well this track flows from section to section with pace changes placed seamlessly. This track is well placed at the beginning of the record as it gives the listener a nice taste of what is to come over the next two tracks.
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‘Obsolete’ was the first track that the band released prior to releasing the album and this track the more I listened to it the more I fell in love with it. Upon first listen I heard so many similarities to their album ‘Earthandsky’, however, the more I dived into this track piece by piece was revealed of the genius in this track. While it does have many similarities to the previous record, I feel that it compliments the record as almost a sequel and accumulation of the sounds heard in that record. Everything from the hard-hitting vocals sitting over the riffs in the verses, the catchy chorus that has been stuck in my head for weeks now and the rhythm section setting a pace for the track all work together to create this sound. In my opinion, the most crucial element of this track lies on the head of the drummer Tino, he sets the forefront for where the track is going and does well in knowing where less is more and when he needs to up the intensity. This is a beautiful track which will be from now on my go-to track when introducing people to the band.
The thing I love most about this record is that it is only three tracks, but it covers so many styles in such a small amount of time, every song has a unique feel to it. The final track on this record is the less heavy hitting but more ballad style track titled ‘Anchor’. This track is a slower, more of a rock style track that shows the bands diversity in their sound and style of music and writing. Not to say that it’s without the hard-hitting elements that the band is known and loved for, with the ambience and straight chord elements used a lot more. The vocals in this track feel like they keep a similar intensity to previous tracks while keeping it mainly melodic. This is not an easy thing to achieve when going from dirty to clean vocals but is achieved beautifully through the passion that is sung throughout the track. Great way to top off the newly released tracks from the American outfit Of Mice & Men.
All in all, this record is a perfect way for the band to show the world that they are still here and aren’t going anywhere, as well as showing that they can still write like they used to while keeping newer elements. This album is a gift to all fans of the band new and old and comes at a perfect time of when the music industry needs it. I give the record 8.5/10. Well done to Of Mice & Men on this one!
My verdict – 8.5/10
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About OF MICE & MEN:
At its best, heavy music produces songs of escape and catharsis. Few bands demonstrate this ethos as powerfully as Of Mice & Men, the multifaceted metalcore machine whose mission is to make the soundtrack for every heartbreak, melancholic rumination, and moment of triumph. It’s a potent and perfect storm of elements. A bombastic and uplifting roar familiar to fans of Linkin Park; a layered crunch akin to the Deftones; thrashing old school riffage a la Slayer and Exodus; the sensual atmosphere of Sade or Radiohead; swirled into a singular sound uniquely OM&M.
Across a half-dozen studio albums, the group’s combination of crowd-moving breakdowns, staccato rhythms, and soaring melodic vocals bridged the gap from the underground to the world at large. Their songs catapulted them onto massive tours with Linkin Park and Rise Against (2015); Slipknot and Marilyn Manson (2016); and Five Finger Death Punch and In Flames (2017).
At every turn, no matter what obstacles presented themselves, the four men at the Of Mice & Men core since 2016 never lost sight of the strength of their connection to the audience or each other. They refocused and persevered at every turn, delivering massive anthems that work in the most intimate of punk clubs, the biggest of European festivals, and American rock radio formats alike. It’s all about the songs themselves and what they mean to people at the end of the day. The music of OF MICE & MEN begins as something deeply personal shared among the quartet. Once they’re turned loose, they take on new meaning, adding to the soundtrack of people’s lives.
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OF MICE & MEN are:
Aaron Pauley — Bass + Vocals
Valentino Arteaga — Drums
Alan Ashby — Guitar
Phil Manansala — Guitar
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TIMELESS EP
Tracklisting:
‘Timeless’
‘Obsolete’
‘Anchor’
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Follow OF MICE & MEN
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
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