Hand Of The Daedra - Perfect Is The Worst EP Review 2007

 

HAND OF THE DAEDRA…There is much to be said about this band as they take on the world with brutality and a unique spirit in all of them that reflects on their true passion for music, and you can't help but wonder where the perfection appeared from in the mass of anger and wisdom that burns in their songs.

Their first EP "Daedric Artifact" stated their new found popularity, and their lust for double bass beats and phenomenally loud guitars, but with new EP "Perfect Is The Worst" they took that state of power to a higher concept completely.

None of them are even old enough to drink in America and yet they're maturity and experience screams through the four songs that could both humour you or scare the s**t out of you. It's remarkable how they all intertwine with another to create this perfectly formed masterpiece of raw purity and fresh underground metal which is so clean-cut in its own right its hard to imagine how the hell they sound so refined and elevated in quality, while still sounding true to their stature of being just simply another metal band.

But that's where they're wrong. Because these boys bring a fresher sound to thrash metal and by creating songs like "Perfect Is The Worst" they show a resemblance to Metallica in their guitar playing, but add their individual burst of energy that tells us they are not like any other band posing as their idols. It tells us that they are quick enough to take note of what they're peers are doing and bring their own individual style in together with the commitment and faith mandatory in any band and giving it all they've got. They are not simply another metal band but a revolution in hardcore thrash that has been needed to give it that revitalizing sound and modern quality that so many other bands now lack.

When I first listened to the CD quite frankly I didn't know what to think. "Warbound (Intro)," is distinctive in comparison to other intros and unlike Bullet For My Valentine, who's intro to "The Poison" was melodic, repetitive and elegant in its structure, "Warbound (Intro)" is a two minute medley of terror, amazement and flawless harmony, in which it combines simplicity with effect that results in a successful, though unexplainable, composition.

Two tracks stand out immensely on the CD and make it what it is, but without these songs the band wouldn't have been able to release it and been taken seriously.  "Perfect Is The Worst" and "Scum To The Nation", are the true heart of the EP. Both made to be anthems that Hand Of The Daedra could famously be known for, and neither of the songs seems to be at all flawed in any way. Both are reaping in energy, catchy riffs and exhilaration, exceeding the standard expected from them and proving that they are more than able of writing songs that could be infamous works of art if they put their mind to it.

Take "Scum To The Nation". An immediate reaction to hearing this song is that it sounds adequate and genuinely complete just as itself. It could easily be compared to Slayer, Lamb Of God or even the legendary Pantera for in all its glory it truly is an outstanding accomplishment and is guaranteed to be one of their most memorable songs. The same goes for "Perfect Is The Worst". Over seven minutes in length and worth every second of it, and although it is a long song, is certainly not one that gives us never ending guitar solos that tell us how big their ego's are because it is a masterpiece in its own right. The lyrics catch your attention unexpectedly and throw you into the chorus with supremacy as the words echo in your mind, and the vocalists harmonise in such unison it's hard to tell them apart.

The humour in the album has been left until now and the only thing that you can say about "Robot. Pirate. Island. War." is that it certainly is the only song of its kind. You can only wonder how they wrote this song. How they initiated the idea and developed the lyrics for a track so randomly hilarious, and yet still managed to produce another anthem that will have listeners singing along just for the fun of it. And the best aspect of this song is that even though it was written as an out-take, or so it would seem, they still managed to push the right buttons and make it so that you can listen to it without being directly annoyed the first time its heard. Its exactly what you'd expect from this band only in, a very slightly, more mature manner.

Overall the EP shows that Hand Of The Daedra aren't just another metal band, but a band with enough confidence to show the world their talent and sense of humour without looking cocky and arrogant. They have worked their arses off to get this result and it shows in the different ways they concept their songs. Since "Daedric Artifact" they have improved immensely, creating songs that you just cant help but play along to, and that should definatly be played at the highest volume level.

There's just one problem. These guys have the ability to make anthem worthy songs. They redefine the meaning of metal and banish the stereotypical ways its considered. The only thing they need to do now is prove it. They have written two major tracks for this EP that really do make it what it is. But they need to prove that they can write more than that and create an album of equal, if not higher quality. And the only way to prove it, is to actually do it.

A groundbreaking EP… just waiting for the groundbreaking album to follow.