| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 5 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: |
With its accent on adept production, proficient musicianship and consistent songwriting, Joplin, Missouri based Sardis again separates from the independent pack with the December of 2019 release to its sophomore EP Viral. Not unlike its 85% Angelic Warlord reviewed 2014 debut full-length Escape, Sardis sidesteps any potential pitfalls that can hinder self-financed releases by delivering the type of big budget feel attributing to label based acts with several albums under their belts. In other words, it comes down to the maturity of a band carrying over the same type of concentrated focus from one musical project to the next.
Also similar to Escape, Sardis maintains on Viral its penchant for a technical brand of traditional heavy metal with hints of classic US power metal. With its intricate take on either form - and emphasis on time signatures and variances to go hand in hand - the group respectively touches upon a light progressiveness, albeit not to a fault in terms of any convoluted trapping inherent to the progressive genre. Point being how what I said in my Escape review still holds true: ‘By focusing on detail without overdoing it, the group keeps its material fresh and engaging, with the upshot understated catchiness and melody in just the right amount’.
Not unlike Escape, Sardis continues to make subtle faith based statements (the group per its press material describes itself as ‘not a very preachy band’ and believes ‘evangelism best begins person to person rather than album to person’) in touching upon social issues and current events.
Opener “Solace” represents quintessential Sardis. With pounding drums and fast paced riffing to start, it echoes of the assertive moving ahead as solid hooks (within a gallant framework) and occasional heavy-set backing vocals (of the dour variety) help set the stately tone. Several seconds of brazen feedback gives way to Kevin Hasselquist’s headlong guitar leads. Lyric snippet:
I want out of this waking dream
Night without sleep
Torturing me
Trapped in my mind
There is no escape
'Til my thoughts make peace with me
I call your name
Show me the way to meet you
Halfway between heaven and earth
“Gremlin”, of which the group recorded a video, manifests some of those progressive elements. The song starts slow and moody (almost reflective of the doom-like) only to abruptly explode with momentum a minute and a half in, taking off at a near speed metal clip as soaring vocal melodies and drubbing guitars lead the brash way. Striking lead guitar elevates tempo even further.
Two songs in and it cannot be denied the crystalline vocal abilities of classic tenor front man Sean Roycraft, whom uncannily reminds of Chuck Williams (Six Minute Century) but when stretching can hit a high note not unlike Manuel Castillo (Paradox).
With open-air guitar to start, “Sensational Society” divulges some unexpected (and very flattering) bluesy grit, as revealed in guitar tones that combine a hard rock edge with the Sardis ingrained metal tendencies. Likewise, vocals trend towards the lower register, with the lone exception the occasional reach for the sky falsetto. Understated catchy hooks round things out. Lyric snippet:
Welcome to a world full of technology
We shut our mouths and lift our fingers
Reduce conversations to letters on a screen
Replace our faces with artificiality
Close your eyes
Breathe in deep
Plunge ourselves into this madness
“Black Snake” mirrors the Sardis aggressive side. It begins to several seconds of slogging riffs prior to moving forward to assertive double bass (noting the work of timekeeper Josh Harms) and some of the catchiest guitar riffs you will hear. Dual instrumental sections grace things, with first rhythm guitar driven to gradually build momentum in near thrash like fashion and second home to intense leads as to be jaw dropping.
“Narcissistic Voyeur” touches upon a speed metal to thrash basis. The song works in light of the bands airtight rhythm section (noting the cool solo of bassist Jerry Walker to start the song) and penchant for composing just enough hooks to prevent things from becoming repetitious (in light of the styles at hand). The beautiful melodic harmonies to grace things instrumentally lend a contrasting effect. Lone complaint is how “Narcissistic Voyeur” fades out a bit early at three and a half minutes. Lyric snippet:
I am reflection
The mirror is tarnished with my self-righteousness
I am error
The best of intentions justify the worst of acts
I keep looking for myself within my darkened mind
What is faith? What is love? These I cannot find
I find it problematic assigning grades to EP releases due to their truncated nature- it is one thing for a band to come up with 5 to 6 good songs but completely another to compose a full lengths albums of quality material (9 to 10 songs minimum). That said, each of the five songs on Viral stand on their own, and if matched with an equal number of similar quality it would score in the 85% to 90% range. Musicianship separates as another legitimate strength in that the group’s intricate nature allows each moment room to shine, particularly lead guitar and drums. Talented vocals speak for themselves. Viral comes strongly recommended as a result for fans of straight on heavy metal with a bit of diversity (progressive to doom).
Review By Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Solace” (4:48), “Gremlin” (4:13), “Sensational Society” (4:31), “Black Snake” (4:38), “Narcissistic Voyeur” (3:33)
Musicians
Sean Roycraft - Lead Vocals & Guitar
Kevin Hasselquist - Guitar
Jerry Walker - Bass
Josh Harms- Drums
