Review Summary: Kangaroos, Barbeques, Vegemite, Metalcore.
Mirrors are an Australian band formed in Gippsland, Victoria in 2016. They are yet another Australian band to burst onto the scene and create waves in the local scene and their fan base will only continue to grow with this release. The Victorian’s debut record was released on mainstay label Resist Records and that definitely comes with some pressure but as evidenced by the results contained on the record, they are up to the task.
Vocalist Patty Goodman is an excellent front man blending his harsh screams with a high clean voice. That combination is a prominent feature and one which is the main draw of the group. ‘Purple Static’ blends ethereal vocals led by Goodman’s falsetto and a scream/sing combination that fit expertly well together. Similar performances scatter throughout the record but importantly never seem to blend together. The guitarist Tyson Taifer draws the ear in with some fantastically catchy riffs. The djenty main riff played throughout ‘Automata’ is one that really stands out and makes a good song, great. Speaking more of ‘Automata’, the vocal break, drum fill and ending breakdown is without a doubt a standout of the record. The first half of the record which includes singles ‘Beneath The Sand’ and ‘Leave Them Behind’ feature the strong vocal performance of Goodman and also some really nice punchy production which make it impossible not to move along to.
Bassist Jake Mackin and drummer Rob Brens fill out the quintet and it’s Brens who really shines as a more than competent drummer which lends to some outstanding moments throughout the record. In previously mentioned album highlight ‘Purple Static’ the vocals while impressive don’t overshadow the effort of both Mackin and Brens as they get a chance to show off their skills. ‘What We’ll Never See’ and ‘Hereditary’ are also great encapsulations of what this band brings to the table with electronic elements akin to Northlane’s newer efforts, combined with breaks that show off Goodman’s vocality. ‘Rebirth’ is another song worth checking out which feels as if it was created for madness at live shows. A heavy behemoth of a track that gets the head banging.
The production of the record was handled by Alpha Wolf member Scottie Simpson and Lance Prenc who has become a go to man in the heavy music production industry in Australia being behind albums for contemporaries Void of Vision, Thornhill, Gravemind and Polaris. Mirrors is a band that is certainly one to keep a look out for and this record could prove to be a spring board to future success for a promising band.
