20 May 2013
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

New Way Home - Mirrors Album Review

03 Sep 2012 // A review by River

From the outset New Way Home's latest release Mirrors is a rip-roaring beast sure to get the mosh pit pumping. Building on some of the best metal sub genres while forging a truly original sound all of their own, the five piece hailing from Auckland have incorporated the perfect blend of delicate harmonics and unrelenting heaviness. 

In a league of his own singer Rich Simpson runs the full gamut of vocal techniques, from smoky warm softness to death metal harshness. At times channeling Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) to great effect, Rich seems to effortlessly maneuver around the song dynamic with lyrical perfection.

This is where the extensive engineering skills of guitarist Zorran Mendonsa come to the fore. Subtle effects, delays and clever harmonies create space, giving the vocals a presence rarely heard on other metal albums. Professional in every sense of the word, Zorran’s mastering is nicely complimented by his proficiency on the gat with reverb drenched power and alternate chord structures adding the X factor.

Opening track Mirror is the epitome of controlled anger with all the dynamic depth you could ever want. Not to be outdone is Paper Hearts with its dark chorus and pinch harmonics working a real aural treat. The power ballad Autumn then takes you on an epic journey that lets the vocals freely soar through spacious heavens. Changing back up a notch, Chrysalis explores tight polymetered timing with guitarist Christian Humphreys giving the wall of sound an extra stereophonic crunch. A clever bass interlude by Romilly Smith is reminiscent of Tool’s Ænima, but better. Phoenix also builds up the momentum and tension with some of the best syncopation you’ll ever hear. The expansive melodic counterpoint of Tides poignantly captures the emotion of heartfelt loss while showing a depth of maturity only ample time together playing music can impart. Again moving from a slow dynamic, Atrophy with its fast paced intro, multiple time signatures and excellent juxtaposition of strong and dissonant melodies is the stand out track. It’s truly massive! Scott Wotherspoon’s blistering drumming on all eleven tracks and particularly the powerful build up in Black Eyes is sure to raise a few hairs on the back of your neck. This guy is on fire. The soft ambience of Soul and Saturn have hit written all over them, with Adrift closing out a faultless album you should definitely check out.

Not only does this album incorporate the industrial intricacies of bands like Meshuggah, Machine Head and Soilwork, it delivers an atmospheric punch that must be heard to be believed. The underlying resonance of formidable song structures is technically brilliant and gets better with every listen. Mirrors has literally smashed it right out of the park. Go catch it today.

Share on MySpace  

About New Way Home

New Way Home has always been made up of seasoned musicians with ears for detail and a passion for emotional intensity. Their sound is heavy, complex and technical at times, at others… simple and beautiful.

Featuring musicians from Blindspott to Sommerset, New Way Home has always been it's own beast with such varied backgrounds. Being handpicked by the likes of Slipknot, Meshuggah, Devin Townsend, and Machine Head to play in front of large stadium crowds is testament to their originality, appeal and musicianship.

After countless hours of work, the recording, mixing, mastering and artwork for their self produced and self recorded full length album 'Mirrors' is completed.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for New Way Home

Releases

Mirrors
Year: 2012
Type: Album
Anomaly
Year: 2005
Type: Album

Other Reviews By River

Osmium - The Misery Harvest Album Review
29 Jan 2013 // by River
There’s no escaping Osmium’s awesome metal prowess throughout their second full-length album The Misery Harvest. Stylistically similar to Alice and Chains, what sets the Invercargill based three-piece apart is a harder edge of heavy riffs with a bit more grunge for good measure.
Read More...
Rhythm and Vines Review
07 Jan 2013 // by River
There’s something very special about the Rhythm and Vines music festival held during New Year at the lovely Waiohika Estate Vineyard, just out of Gisborne. Rhythm and Vines celebrated their ten-year anniversary with an unprecedented level of professionalism and 31,000 music lovers partied with them on New Years Eve.
Read More...
Villainy - Mode. Set. Clear. Album Review
29 Dec 2012 // by River
The first thing to strike you about Villainy’s debut album Mode Set Clear is the excellent surrealistic graphics designed by legendary designer Storm Thorgerson. Echoing some other great works by the renowned artist such as Muse’s Absolution, Megadeth’s Rude Awakening and Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse Of Reason, the digipac is so good it’s worth framing and mounting to the wall.
Read More...
Rival State - Apollo Me Album Review
29 Oct 2012 // by River
Rival State's album Apollo Me is a solid effort throughout. At times their powerful sound is without compromise.
Read More...
Depths - Resurgence EP Review
23 May 2012 // by River
Released on Deadboy Records and best described as a cross between Meshuggah and As I Lay Dying with hints of Machine Head thrown into the bubbling cauldron for good measure, Depths' EP Resurgence is sure to quench your desire for head banging mayhem. The CD starts off with a nice atmospheric and spooky intro that soon gives way to Age Of Compromise.
Read More...
Arc of Ascent - The Higher Key Album Review
02 May 2012 // by River
Arc Of Ascent’s latest release The Higher Key is an excellent follow-up to their debut album Circle of the Sun (Astral Projection) that received favourable reviews. Hailing from Hamilton, the trio punches well above their weight and epitomizes the wall of sound technique with one of the most commanding and transcending metal albums so far this year.
Read More...
The Heavy Metal Ninjas EP Review
04 Mar 2012 // by River
The Heavy Metal Ninjas, who formed in 2010 (the year of the ninja), have certainly transcended the mortal realm with their debut EP of the same name. From devastating riffs, synchronised perfectly with meticulous timing, the five Ninjas including Stu and Fran Kora from multi-platinum selling band Kora, look set to completely annihilate the competition.
Read More...
Outsiders - Shallow Graves EP Review
01 Mar 2012 // by River
The Outsiders latest release Shallow Graves is a short but sweet EP that builds nicely on their impressive 2010 debut album The Words Will Write Themselves. With obvious similarities, Shallow Graves has a bit more Kiwi flavour and an underground number eight-wire approach.
Read More...
View All Articles By River

Gigs Today

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • BLURRED LINES
    Robin Thicke feat. TI And Pharrell
  • GET LUCKY
    Daft Punk feat. Pharrell
  • LET HER GO
    Passenger
  • RADIOACTIVE
    Imagine Dragons
  • AFRICA
    Toto
  • ROYALS
    Lorde
  • FEEL THIS MOMENT
    Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera
  • CAN'T HOLD US
    Macklemore And Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton
  • MIRRORS
    Justin Timberlake
  • SKINNY LOVE
    Birdy
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem