EP Review: God Alone – God Alone (Cosmonaut)

God Alone are already one of Ireland’s most exciting metal bands, despite their staggering age. All born this side of the millennium, the prodigious wunderkinds return with their third release, their self-titled EP, due 8th November 2019 via Cosmonaut.

A rare combination of post-metal, instrumental prog-rock and blackened metal, the wealth of influences heard on the young quintet’s EP is staggering. A curious mix of Three Trapped Tigers, Fugazi, and Deafheaven but all infused with a Celtic lilt, God Alone. EP showcases a band who are gleefully unafraid to experiment.

The EP details themes of depression, insomnia and loss, all the while using the voice as a sixth instrument. Track two (Ke Ta) for example references a Japanese fan of the band who invited them to tour, which at the time couldn’t happen (the band only being 16). Ke Ta then disappeared and the band lost contact, never to be heard of again. The EP opener, ‘Feeling on Tic’ is a play on the classic Simpsons song Can I Borrow A Feeling, detailing a man kicked out of his house, left to wander the streets.

Despite the subject matter, musically God Alone. is largely upbeat, a driving release with plenty of musical humour and groove. A very strong starting point for a group who unsurprisingly are very hotly-tipped.

While God Alone might not take themselves too seriously, the music they deliver is no joke. This self titled EP is a hefty effort from a band combining some of the more challenging genres into one sprawling and titanic beast. The harshness of their blackened metal offset by upbeat rhythms and catchy prog-rock segments.

Their musical abilities to entertain while also making you feel is certainly impressive even if you can’t help but think they must be certifiably insane to conjure up this.

At over 30 minutes long, it’s a lengthy EP even though it’s only four tracks long. Each one though offers something different and wholly God Alone. Simply put, there isn’t much like this out there at the moment. Plenty of individual post, prog and blackened bands but very few that combine them all into this.

Is it madness? Maybe but when it’s displayed so meaningfully and with such care, it’s best it’s given the attention it demands.

God Alone – God Alone Full Track Listing:

1. Feeling On Tic
2. Ke Ta
3. Madting
4. Yes Aii

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