Reviewed for: The Metal Lab


Band: Nassau

Release: Ruptured / Satan

Release date: 2020

Record label: self released

Genre: melodic death metal

From: Edinburgh, Scotland 



 

 

Nassau is a five-piece consisting of Sin (vocals), Magnus and Josh (guitars and backing vocals(, Ben (bass guitar) and Clark (drums) that incorporate many different styles into the metal they present on the two singles.


The song Ruptured makes one think of the Gothenburg scene, with many elements of melodic death metal bands. From melodic death metal the song takes a turn into more progressive and groove oriented metal, somewhat closer to newer, rather than older In Flames. 

There is a clear development through the song, and while I would have like more melody, the band manages to keep it interesting to the end, with several more twists before the song ends.

 

The next song, Satan, has way too much reggae for a metal song (only Judas Priest pulled that off successfully on The Rage), and this brings this song more into a hardcore, punk or ska territory. The vocals are also closer to hardcore, with a little twist of System of A Down as well. 

However, this makes for a cool twist in the song, and a great contrast to the heavier parts of the song, and the two parts actually fit well together. This song is much more melodic than the previous one, and has some interesting, intricate arrangements and cool, eastern melodies.

The production on these two songs is a bit lacking. There are parts that have a rather wet mix, with lots of effects, and parts with very dry guitar in the same song. I think reworking the effects into some kind of overall middle ground would help the songs seem more internally consistent. The members of the band are obviously skilled musicians, and the songs are well composed. I think this band has the potential for a great live show, and I'm very curious to see how a full album, with a more consistent production will turn out. This is definitively a band I will follow with great interest.

You can follow them as well at their facebook: https://metalnassau.bandcamp.com
Or check their music out on bandcamp: https://www.facebook.com/bandnassau/

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