In Your Employ.
Hello, my friends, hope you are well, the live music scene has been reignited somewhat as we see many fans venturing back to gigs with some success. We find ourselves four albums into the musical journey of Employed To Serve, a rowdy bunch of rottweilers if there ever was one, trained in the fine art of goring and skewering from the sunny heights of Woking. Despite the tragedy that has befallen many this past eighteen months or so, we are the ones left standing, we may be weary, we may be scared but our ETS family are here to help us in ‘Conquering’ all that ails us.
A first-rate introduction, probably my best of 2021, for opener ‘Universal Chokehold’ gives ample leverage for Justine Jones to launch herself out of the speakers and latch onto your ears with an anger and a vehemence that is unmatched. I love a good ol’ growler and Justine sits alongside others of her ilk brilliantly, bolstered by the talents of Sammy Urwin – guitar, vocals, David Porter – guitar, Nathan Pryor – bass and Casey McHale on drums, we have group that have grown and progressed over the years. ‘Exist’ continues the aural assault on the senses and delivers the most magnificent riff at 3.48 at the end of the song. The variety of styles on offer show versatility and understanding of what music is and how it should be manipulated to maximise the effect and potential. The bludgeoning and burdening, seething mass that is ‘Sun Up To Sun Down’ is definitive in its perspective, portraying thrash, doom mechanics and glorifying the genre that is sometimes ostracised from a community already on the fringes.
The metalcore genre is one that cordially pokes a stick in your eye and walks off confidently and composed in its stature. Here we see that same characteristic in action, beautifully produced, with aggressive points and subtle tones all living together harmoniously. The single ‘Mark Of The Grave’ is very Slipknot circa ‘Psychosocial’ which is not a bad thing, as it showcases the dual vocal talent and psychedelic visuals to intoxicate and medicate.
We end with ‘Stand Alone’ and the gentle strumming leads us into the volcanic piece that will decimate us if we do not ‘stand alone, embrace the cold’. It is what it is my friends, we must face our fears, our woes in order to carve a path forward. I particularly love the drums here, obliterating yet reconstructing and elevating the entire record.
The antagonists will declare a divide and rule, but we will survive and conquer.
Employed To Serve – Conquering out now via Spinefarm Records