EP Review: Precostal

Ommeta is the solo project of Auckland based musician and audio engineer, Luke Finlay. His debut release Precostal isn’t just about technical death metal. Instead the five blistering tracks are a comprehensive exploration of numerous metal styles combined with a vast array of influences.

Starting things off is the short hard-hitting intro, DB2 R11. This ominous little track is effectively enhanced by a polished and powerful vocal style. The industrial base has a sharp speed metal edge that cuts through nicely.

The intro power chords, contrasting time signatures and rests throughout title track, Precostal, build  tension. Chord substitutions work a treat but at times dissonance is overly pronounced. Pared back vocals and thrash metal arrangements benefit from precise automated drumming, which can feel a bit sequenced in the slower segments. Using larger cymbals here would benefit the sound by filling up the void.

Built around brutal lyrics, Screw Cap has a slight Obscura quality to it. Pulled back riffing and brilliant muting, combined with excellent mixing techniques, give the vocals the space and prominence they deserve. There’s even a touch of Cradle Of Filth’s Daniel Lloyd Davey’s distinct vocal style towards the end.

The standout track is Gracious In Preserverance. Combining older metal influences, such as Nile and Death, with newer styles like Archespire and Beyond Creation, this track achieves a very live sound and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Stereo guitars are excellently arranged and every note seems poignant, particularly in the breakdown where keyboards add another dimension.

Accessing a very dark place, DB2 R8 starts out slow and airy with sparse vocals and moody delayed conga drums. Introspective lyrics are melancholic and provide a perfect way to close out an exceptional first release.

It’s a hard thing to not sound overly American when playing metal and Precostal mixes things up just enough to be entirely original. At times Ommeta breaks into industrial speed metal or morbid progressions of doom-inspired darkness that keep the listener engaged throughout. Hypnotic and discordant guitars often resolve into blistering riffs, which are central to the musicality of the entire release. Overall this is a first-rate debut EP that you should check out today.