EP REVIEW: The Sun Reflects the Colour of Your Eyes by Instrument Of God
The Sun Reflects the Colour Of Your Eyes by Instrument Of God
Hailing from Southampton, new metalcore band Instrument Of God comes to us with their brand new debut EP, “The Sun Reflects The Colour of Your Eyes.” Made up of scene veterans Lu from fellow SOHC legends Not Without Punishment and Southampton's most enthusiastic mosher, Ed Torode. With Guitarists Joe Trott (also Not Without Punishment), and Cameron Grant, Bassist Jamie Prince and the insanely cracked drummer Luca Bailey. Formed earlier in the year, the band have embraced the old school style of dual wielding vocalists and it is incredible.
Stemming from Ed’s love of hardcore and death metal, the influences in the EP are obvious and creates this perfect lovechild of a record. Working harmoniously alongside Lu’s unique vocal style, the duo create a listening experience that is nostalgic and showcases the band's range and love for the music they create. Every member of this band had a huge part to play, varying different ideas to become a worship band for those who inspire. Despite the EP being barely 10 minutes long, it is an instant classic and is easily one of the most enjoyable and unforgettable listening experiences that you will no doubt continue to revisit.
With many head nodding moments and riffs in a similar tone of early Bullet For My Valentine and even Vein (both of which the band themselves cover live), the intro track eagerly throws you into a slow opening riff which sets the expectation already at a high, setting the tone and the ambiance for the rest of the EP and boy does it throw you head first into the rest of the record with a perfectly placed transition.
Return is the first time you can really hear Instrument Of God's real potential, Ed’s low screams combined with Lu’s high’s blend perfectly while showcasing the chaotic tonal guitar riffs and the aggressive drumming which is orchestrated immaculately. There’s a moment in the pre chorus which demonstrates a highly recognisable melodic vocal point, comparable to early Parkway Drive. Leading into a real mic grab clean chorus, this song effortlessly makes itself the best song to showcase the band's real talent. Ed’s years-long love of displaying his feelings and emotions via poetry displays beautifully and the delivery is a perfect showcase of emotion, with the lyrics ‘Time slips away, nothing changes, days blur into one, suffocating’. You feel like you have experienced it yourself, and the relatable nature and theme of the songs make you feel more connected. You’ve got the riffs, you’ve got the vocals, what's missing? A breakdown obviously. And this song doesn’t keep us waiting. Ending with a perfect neuron activating type mosh breakdown, it gives us everything we want. A slow, steady, crab stance style nostalgic metalcore breakdown that we have been gagging for. This track has it all and we are eating it up.
We lead immediately into Heaven’s Gate which opens with a riff designed for the real two-steppers. Only just over 2 minutes long, Instrument of God have to really cram what they have into such a short track, and that very thing they did. With the frenzied yet melodic opening seconds, you already have your heart pumping. The ongoing theme of clean vocal choruses are not short here, and yet they still provide a perfect juxtaposition between the lyricism and vocal styles. This track holds the words that made the EP title, “The sun reflects the colours of your eyes.”A classic metalcore song about heartbreak, about love, about moving forward with your life and how it repeats itself. The song is a real throwback to myspace style metalcore, bringing a reminiscent, but also brand new and fresh sound.
We end with the explosive final track, Empty Words. Which is a perfect song to round off the record. Being so invested in the other 3 songs, you wonder what else could this band seriously do? We are reminded that this band is made up of scene veterans, and they know exactly who their audiences are. There’s one thing Ed, and guitarists Joe and Cam love and that’s riffs, and they do not shy away from this, with this arguably being the heaviest song on the EP it fits perfectly and brings the right amount of high energy. Being the most passionate and genuine emotional song lyrically, it makes you feel the anger and hurt in every word that leaves the boys lips. The final breakdown feels like almost a ‘thank you’ to everybody, it’s a real heavy hitter and a calculated attempt at making everybody rush to the dancefloor and it worked! It does exactly that. The song fades to its end and we are just left in shock that’s all ended too soon. Is it over already? We are starved for more!
Instrument Of God are already seen supporting bands with the likes of Long Goodbye, Cruelty, Overpower and Bathed In Sin. In theory being a Southampton Hardcore supergroup, Instrument Of God are not ones to shy away from wearing their inspirations on their sleeves, combined with Ed’s lyrics, Lu’s vocals and the band's sheer instrumental talent makes them a band to perk up your ears. Instrument Of God have already made a name for themselves, introducing many to proper arms in the air, scene kid hair, headbanging metalcore. We are all excited to see how much more this band can do, and are even more excited to see them grow.
FFO: Parkway Drive, Early Bullet For My Valentine, Vein.fm
SCORE: 8/10
The Sun Reflects the Colour of Your Eyes is out now on all streaming platforms via Betrayed By Life Records
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