Scandinavian Metalcore band K(nine) has delivered a six-track EP featuring over 22 minutes of state-of-the-art Metalcore. Well, since there has been quite a wave of bands nurturing and continuing this style, even more than many felt were absolutely necessary, a good score for a release of this genre always needs justification. Fortunately, in this case this is quite easy to do as the band have definitely improved since their last release. Although their own description of the band states influences such as Machine Head, Korn, and Pantera, the new compositions have more in common with Scandinavian Melodic Death or Thrash bands like Soilwork, Shadows Fall, or Scar Symmetry. The versatility of Unleash The Power (see review here) can now be seen as an attempt to find their way, as the six new tracks are all forged from the same Metal. A heavy Nu-metal riffing is the underlying base for every song, and altering between clear and growled vocals is now much more sophisticated. But, that is all that the tracks have in common, apart from that they are still very diversified.

The fast-paced opening track “Fraction Of Time” bears witness to their new songwriting skills when the use of undistorted guitars and clear vocals in the chorus creates a nice counterpart to the heavy, powerfully shouted verses. It takes a bit of getting used to, as the change is quite abrupt, but after a few spins this is a killer track with a typical Metalcore breakdown in the mid-section. After that, staccato riffing and Pantera shouting give way to a quite melodic “Pitch Black Eyes,” which also has a clear vocal part, and is very memorable and catchy (can one use that phrase for Metalcore, and get away with it?).

The other four tracks do not fail to impress, as “My Inner Demons” picks up the pace again and offers the best vocals in the verse, although the chorus and the accompanying break seem a bit erratic; “Failed Creation” has a great guitar opening, and picks up the melodic skills exhibited in the beginning. In “Choose Your End” the two singers interact quite interestingly, and although it is not yet perfect, the potential for something big is quite audible as the melody is probably already too Poppy for the real Metalcore fan, but this is bound to be a killer track on stage. The last song “Path Of Damnation” completes the circle, as again undistorted guitars create a counterpart to the heavy riffing and shouting and show how much this band has come in such a short time.

Overall, K(nine)’s new output is a very recommended release. While they do not reinvent the genre, they do expand the boundaries and come up with some songs that can be put on the same pedestal as US masters Unleash or the aforementioned Shadows Fall. The progress in songwriting is remarkable, especially as all six tracks come straight to the point – do the math: six songs in 22 minutes means no fooling around. A very refreshing release which makes you long for more!

Band: www.K9Noise.com
Myspace: Myspace.com/K9Noise