Impressive debut.
Reading five piece Exit Ten mix up the best of metal with the best of progressive rock; “Remember The Day” is full of dark, very heavy and complex riffs but it also has superbly catchy, sing along sections that rely on harmonies and the brilliant and very distinctive vocals from front man Ryan Redman. Album opener ‘Technically Alive’ sucks you in straight away. It has a touch of Cave In about it, a spacey metal feel with tuneful vocals and inventive guitars. ‘God Speed’ sounds almost Tool like at times, rhythmically challenging and darkly swirling; there is an open expansive production which really complements the almost sludgy guitar and bass, but it’s also very melodic and has a core so memorable it already felt like an old friend by the second listen .
This album sounds like it’s been made by a band at the peak of a long and illustrious career; they have a freshness and intensity that pulls you in but the melodies, hooks and complex rhythms seem like those of a much more mature band. Their sound is instantly appealing, managing to be original and interesting whilst maintaining huge riffs and those catchy tunes. A large part of this appeal comes from the charismatic voice of their front man; it’s so rare to hear a voice that can carry a metal band without resorting to endless screaming and growling; he has a powerful voice with a huge range and makes it all sound very easy.
It’s very hard to believe this band aren’t going to go on to bigger things; with tunes this good, the level of complexity hidden within each one and the way the songs have been put together, they certainly know how to keep you guessing, by mixing up old familiar riffs with interesting little ticks and odd rhythms along with crescendos of heavy but uplifting noise that makes your skin tingle; they deserve to be many people’s new favourite band; I know they’ve just become mine.