MUSIC REVIEW: QARINAH – Transcendent [EP]

Label: Buio Omega Music

Release Date: September 13, 2024

Rating: 86%

Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Again, the stream of EPs hitting my email and feed lately has been overwhelming (I guess the full-length LP might not be the way to go for some artists).  The latest offering from Qarinah is one such EP that I took for a spin, and while not my normal fare, grabbed my attention.  Disc opener “Hell Or High Water” comes straight at you from the first note and keeps the aural attack up through the final strains of the song.  The vocals are cool and a good contrast to the musical accompaniment.  The guitar work is cool and keeps the music churning, but you cannot ignore the heavy bottom end.  “Impermanence” is similar to the opener as it features Miss Randall draped across the heavy guitar leanings of Waldemar Sorychta.  The layered vocals in the chorus add punch to the track and offset the guitars in the mix.  The thunderous drumming, curtesy of Miss Randall, keeps the song anchored as it churns thanks to some cool guitar work buried in the mix.  “Not For Sale” is the most contagious of the tracks, from the catchy guitar hooks to the pounding drums and bass that get you headbanging to the vocals that are perfectly delivered bringing out the emotion of the lyrics.  While not mainstream, this would go well among a lot of other modern metal on the various metal stations.  Be sure to check out the solo on the bridge.  Disc closer “Alchemy” is the perfect track to tie together the different sounds of the other tracks.  The vocals reflect different textures that allow Miss Randall to show off her different vocal sides while the guitars in the mix are simple but add to the songs overall feel.  This is a short listen, but worth the time, if you are looking for another band to add to your metal mix.

Tracklisting: Hell Or High Water – Impermanence – Not For Sale – Alchemy

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Category: CD Reviews