Wartorn Republic - Epidemic
Metal
Texas, United States
Overall Impression: Infusing dirt-rich and gutturally raw instrumental performances with a depiction of existence in the throes of chemical stimulation, Wartorn Republic's "Epidemic" features powerhouse deliveries from titanic players beneath a stream-of-consciousness lyrical flow - both encapsuling the stylistic pinnacle of Progressive Metal in the early ought's and revealing a nearly prophetic awareness of the impact amphetamines would have on modern culture.
Strongest Point(s): There's a lot of pure power behind Wartorn Republic's sound! Blistering drum work supports rhythmically tight and tonally rich guitar and bass throughout "Epidemic" - moving deftly between the song's different meters and riffs with nearly mechanical precision. Far more compelling than anything truly mechanical, however, the energy levels achieved by the band convey a sense of unhinged and ever-expanding mania that perfectly suit the lyrical theme of amphetamine-based highs and the subsequent crash they bring. Kevin Hollingsworth floats seamlessly on the kit, drifting between riff and groove in order to highlight Mike Heald's stellar guitar licks while still providing a firm foundation for headbangers to latch onto. At the same time, Ken Hill manages to play perfectly from the pocket without dropping a single vocal cue! Perhaps under-circulated at the time of its original release, "Epidemic" holds its own with performances that reach the epitome of control - regardless of the era in which they're heard!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of high-octane Metal and Progressive Metal performances will resonate immediately with "Epidemic" - prompting interest and curiosity towards the band that forged it and their solitary self-titled album, Wartorn Republic. Brilliantly captured and published in 2004, the album serves as a time-capsule of the genre's defining trends but maintains a striking amount of staying power through expert artistry and rich creative intensity - promising to find warm welcomes among any listener with a love for the style. - Jon W.
Artist target suggestions: Metallica, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Sleep, Deftones, Slipknot, System Of A Down, Korn, TOOL, Accept, Soundgarden, Opeth, Gojira, Ghost, Alter Bridge, Megadeth, Pearl Jam, Volbeat, Godsmack, Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, Motörhead, Misfits, Rush, Pantera, Anthrax, Lamb of God, Demon Hunter, Static-X
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About the Reviewer:
Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process - from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists across a wide range of genres.