Review Summary: Curse and mourn.
My Epic is a lot of things, but they are rarely accused of being subtle. This is a band that delights in lengthy crescendos building to expansive climaxes, a frantic rhythm section, and perhaps the genre’s most stunningly overt religious lyrics. My Epic has enjoyed success with their full-length albums, records that gave the band space to explore every nook and cranny of a melody without much concern as to how overwhelming the end result may be, so color me pleasantly surprised that the band has been able to maintain their complex and alluring prog-rock sound within the confines of a bite sized EP.
Opener
Ghost Story and closer
Open Letter show My Epic at their most unpredictable, both songs turning seemingly on a dime from intricate, reverb soaked clean guitar work to simpler, distorted chugs, without losing the momentum or impact of either section. Vocalist Aaron Stone demonstrates a similar dynamic range, his emotionally charged crooning bravely charging forward, wherever the song may lead him.
Wives Tale dances alarmingly close to being a pop song with its massive chorus hook and more straightforward structure, but surreal lyrics and some of the band’s most energetic instrumentals ensure that it remains fresh.
Memoir might be the prettiest song on
Viscera, with the vocals taking a back seat to a dazzling interplay of electronic keys and twinkling guitars before transitioning smoothly into the welcomingly relaxing interlude track that is
Cesura.
For better or worse,
Viscera shows My Epic completely embracing the sound they have spent their last several records perfecting. The heavy-handed religious themes that pervade the lyrics are as explicit as ever, and the band still hasn’t quite learned that sometimes less really is more, but these are comparatively minor complaints when held next to the ambition and competency that My Epic display throughout
Viscera. My Epic tiptoes the tightrope that hangs between the desperate desire to explore every musical avenue and the necessity to maintain a sense of acute accessibility, and returns with an excellent EP to show for it.
