Lisa (MNZ) sent me a YouTube link one day and said, “Have you heard this?” I was shortly getting back to her saying no I hadn’t but was going to contact the band directly as I could not quite believe what I was hearing. A short while later I was talking with Nathan Hickey of the mighty Beastwars, as he is the drummer for End Boss as well. The last time I saw him play he was ripping up The Powerstation in what was for me one of the gigs of the year, and here he is providing the same huge percussive sound which one has come to expect over the years. It sounds like he is wielding tree trunks and is going to break the heads at any minute, destroying the kit. Alongside him are Ghidoragh guitarists Greg Broadmore and Christian Pearce, locking in tight and heavy, dealing the sludge with passion. The bottom end is massively heavy, like a physical form, assaulting the senses with its slowed-down brutality, creating waves of sound designed to rip the breath from your lungs.

But, and that is a very special word in this context, there is also a real sense of commerciality in what they are producing, especially in the bridge. Then at the front is lead singer E.J. Thorpe, who is incredibly enigmatic in her approach, switching like a chameleon so one has no idea what is going to come next. There are times when she reminds me somewhat of Siouxsie Sioux in the way she twists her vocals around the melody, although more tuneful and melodic. She has a real edge and there is the knowledge that she is a force to be reckoned with. She happily switches register and styles depending on the need and mood of the moment, and although she can be sweetness and light one second, she can be ready to eviscerate you the next. By the time we get to the end of the song she is chanting, with the vocals here mixed behind the guitars, allowing her sweet voice to build another layer on top. The last thing we here is EJ holding onto a note, perfectly in pitch and fully in control. They remind me somewhat of Black Widow, but only as a base which is then being taken into new directions.

The video is a simply shot performance, but one quickly sees that here we have a band who are itching to get back out and play live, as that is where they truly belong, with the guys all locking into the groove and EJ commanding the stage. This is an immensely powerful debut, and all metalheads need to be locking 8th April into their calendars to ensure they grab the album They Seek My Head on the day it comes out.

• 1
  Anxiety Club
• 2
  Take Hold
• 3
  Coridian
• 4
  Devilskin
• 5
  Skinny Hobos
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Head Like A Hole
• 8
  Shihad
• 9
  Katchafire
• 10
  Written By Wolves

• 
  Bach Musica NZ @ Auckland Town Hall, Auckland - 14/04/2024
• 
  There's a Tuesday @ Otisfest, San Fran, Wellington - 14/04/2024
• 
  Mudgoose @ Otisfest, San Fran, Wellington - 14/04/2024
• 
  Macho Macho @ Otisfest, San Fran, Wellington - 14/04/2024

• 1
  TOO SWEET
  Hozier
• 2
  BEAUTIFUL THINGS
  Benson Boone
• 3
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 4
  LIKE THAT
  Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
• 5
  END OF BEGINNING
  Djo
• 6
  I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
  Artemas
• 7
  WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
  Ariana Grande
• 8
  STICK SEASON
  Noah Kahan
• 9
  TEXAS HOLD 'EM
  Beyonce
• 10
  LEAVEMEALONE
  Fred Again.. And Baby Keem

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