God Complex are finally making a return to the scene after their last album was released way back in 2021. Their new EP 'He Watches In Silence' is their first music back, and the band are very keen for people to hear these five songs - they've said themselves that, when recording this EP, they "deliberately avoided lengthy pre-production and allowed small variations in the recordings, to embrace the mess and chaos that sit at the heart of our sound."
The EP opens with the track ‘Salt and Ash’, which was originally released at the tail end of 2024 to truly welcome everyone to their new era and establish the sound they're bringing. The song starts with a minute of haunting instrumental, creating an eerie atmospheric sound. After this minute the listener is suddenly struck with thunderous drums and screeching guitars, before getting into the real grittiness of the EP - accompanied by the impressive screams of lead vocalist Harry Rule.
The next song ‘Depraved Idol’ is the title track for this EP, the band describe it as a song that explores the imagery of rebirth in the idol of the Green Man which is a folklore story, many times depicted in art and architecture as a man reborn from foliage. The song opens heavily as the two vocalists go back and forth, and no two moments of the track are the same with each new section introducing new riffs and drums. A particular highlight of ours is the breakdown around a minute in that introduces apocalyptic bass riffs, with drums that pair together with the desolate bass for a perfect headbanging beat.
‘Ba’als Trick’ follows the themes of gods and deities and how they can manipulate the mind. The songs make up reflects these exact themes, with anguished shrieks and howls perfectly encapsulating the feelings one might have after having been fooled by a divine entity, and knowing there's nothing that can be done about it.
The last two songs ‘The Judge’ and ‘Flooded Lungs’ carry on with these cataclysmic themes. ‘The Judge’, although short, at only one minute in length - leaves a lasting impact, as it comes in full throttle and features intense and vigorous drum beats that we can only imagine are a full body workout for drummer James Lyon to play. The EP closes out on ‘Flooded Lungs’, which has some of the most impressive vocal moments of the collection and repetitive guitar riffs that are sure to energise and channel the pure rage of the listener, closing out with a long instrumental section perfect for any keen mosher.
Any caustic blackened hardcore fan need look no further than this EP, as it combines chaos and feral animal instinct to give the listener an experience full of heavy breakdowns, fast paced fearless vocals and addictive ear pricking guitar riffs. God Complex will be touring next month, so if you'd like to catch this abrasive release in person they'll be heading out shortly!
'He Watches In Silence' will be released on February 21st 2025 via SharpTone Records.
Words: Amy Smyth
Photos: God Complex
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