Review Summary: "Quiet" puns aside, All's Quiet create a roaring maelstrom of metalcore with few hiccups.
It’s tough to stick Michigan quintet All’s Quiet in one genre. While one can see clear influence from southern-based hardcore (southern-core, if you will) bands Maylene and the Sons of Disaster and A Girl A Gun A Ghost. In addition, there also exist more notable metalcore influences reminiscent of Misery Signals and Stray From the Path, all of which topped off by sparse usage of the breakdown done in styles similar to those of For the Fallen Dreams (pushing them more towards metalcore than anything else). Regardless of genre, All’s Quiet’s
Like Vultures is an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
The first thing that struck me about All’s Quiet’s
Like Vultures was the vocals. Mack Moriarty, the band’s front man rapidly switches from his medium and low toned harsh vocals to a throaty southern yell, done so well that it’s surprising the band hails from south-east Michigan. This isn’t to shun the instruments to a lesser place, they mesh wonderfully, harmonizing fantastically on “Directionary,” and even showcasing a miniature guitar solo at the beginning of “Parasite.” The drums are punchy, and display talent, but fall into the standard niche for drumming in the metalcore genre. The guitar work blends together superbly, creating everything from melodic sections, to southern-infused riffs, and crunchy breakdowns. The bass, however, is slightly less than audible.
The only noticeable flaw with
Like Vultures is the length. Such a brief EP leaves little room for filler, which unfortunately manifests itself in the form of “Parasite.” While “Parasite” is a good track, featuring a good introduction and a stunning breakdown towards the middle of the track, the rest of it is particularly stagnant (even more so if you aren’t a breakdown enthusiast). And while the track is by no means atrocious, it is slow, and hard to stick with until the end, much unlike every other track on the album, making it a somewhat glaring flaw in a six-track release.
All’s Quiet’s EP
Like Vultures is a standout effort with elements that prevent it from becoming another generic metalcore album. With highlights like “Directionary,” “Bear Grylls” and the acoustic “Like Vultures,” which more than outweigh the sluggish “Parasite,”
Like Vultures is an intriguing, fun and quality listen for any metalcore or southern-core enthusiast.
