Greeley Estates - Devil Son EP

Greeley Estates - Devil Son

Greeley Estates released the first part of their dual EP project last November and it was mixed perfectly and as heavy as No Rain No Rainbow, basically making up for The Death of Greeley Estates weaker production. It was representative of everything that makes Greeley, Greeley. They've finally returned with the second part titled Devil Son. It heads in different direction than The Narrow Road, and the beginning few songs shows a lot of growth as a band. Unfortunately it doesn't come out as strong as the first part.

Say whatever you want about Greeley Estates but they know how to write an opener to an album. The opener this time again shares the same name as the EP, Devil Son. It starts off acoustically with a haunting electronic tone in the back. The band comes in slowly with a powerful drum line and a haunting chorus in the background. Pretty powerful for what is probably their slowest song. I actually wish it was a bit longer it's one of the better songs on the album.

Marionette was the first video released from this EP and it's pretty good, it shows progress from the band, I would like them to do more songs like this, it's one of their softer songs that actually comes together nicely without feeling weak. Mixing soft vocals with the screaming we're used to, it's done nicely, also the guitar work is a step forward for the band in general.

Turn the Night Away is another progressive song and shows a bit of their range. Again it starts off pretty slow, and soft, not weak, just softer than usual. It starts picking up and culminates in one of the heaviest breakdowns from them. Lyrically it's also pretty powerful and should hit home for a lot of people. This is a direction I would like to see Greeley take, they can do softer songs and still remain heavy and it's evident with this song.

The rest of the album is going to feel more at home with older Greeley Estates fans. Starting with The World You Used to Know, it feels like something from their older pre-Go West albums. Again the guitar is probably the standout of this song. Overall unless what you're looking for is older Greeley Estates this song will disappoint, and it's too bad since they have progressed so far over the last few albums.

The Killing Fields is actually pretty decent, but again more like their older work. It comes off as weak. Not just because it's softer, but more because of the structure and vocal work, and the overall package. The next song up comes out the same way, it feels a bit whiney overall. Not their best work really.

The EP does close on a good note though, Cut Me Out is a haunting pretty hard tune. It's again slower than anything on The Narrow Road, but comes off feeling pretty heavy. It demonstrates the growth I was talking about with their albums. It's not anything amazing like Doomsday was but it's still a good way to end this EP.

The Narrow Road set expectations high for this EP, maybe a little too high. It's Unfortunate because there's nothing particularly bad about the album, overall it just comes off a little weak. For every moment of progress and every step forward it feels like they took two steps back. I reccomend Greeley fans pick it up, it's worth listening to, and will probably resonate more for older Greeley fans, but it won't leave you with the same feeling as The Narrow Road did.

Greeley Estates - The Narrow Road

Greeley Estates - The Narrow Road

       If anybody thinks that Greeley Estates aren't one of the hardest working bands in the industry, they should stop thinking because clearly they don't know how. Ever since 2010's No Rain, No Rainbow the Greeley boys have given us an album a year. This year brings us The Narrow Road the first part of a two part EP release. 

       NRNR was not only the heaviest Greeley album, it's one of the heaviest albums I've ever heard. TDOGE  went back to the lighter more melodic stylings, mixing some of the heavier elements of NRNR. Overall it was a good album, however it's production was very poor. The album sounded as if it were recorded in a hollow tube or long hallway, drums were weak, guitars muddled. To start off, the production on this EP is better, way better, as good if not better than NRNR. The guitars come to the foreground and the drums sound hit hard. The vocals are as great as ever and nothing comes out unfocused or unclear.

     Track by track

1. The Narrow Road : A fantastic opener for this EP, I feel it even hits heavier than Seven Hours, and I love the dark atmosphere it creates. It starts like a freight train and definently sets the tone for the rest of the album. The vocals are interesting for this one, long drawn out screams, and some almost points of speaking. The actual lyrics are pretty impressive as well.
2. Head Underwater: Another hard hitting songs, that has a ton of momentum. The vocals come to the front here with amazing highs from Zimmerman and fantastic lows from the guest vocalist with great symmetry between the two. 
3. Lot Lizards: Weird title, awesome song. Since Greeley leaked the song a month ago it's easily become my favorite song by them. This is a perfect example of the awesome production on this album. It also highlights the skills of all the band members perfectly. If I was to introduce someone to Greeley Estates this would be the song I'd choose.
4. Watch It Burn: Probably the most forward thinking song on this album. It's very reminiscent of bands like Norma Jean and Inhale/Exhale. Very interesting to listen to, and it shows the versatility of the band. Fun to listen to, could be a great direction for the band to take. The best demonstration of the guitar work of the band.
5. Die: Die is an extremely heavy song that would have been fitting on NRNR. Some powerful and emotional lyrics brought to life. Definitely has one of the heaviest breakdowns on the album especially the ending.
6. Lennox House: Lennox House is an interesting song, it mixes parts of almost sludge metal with traditional Greeley mellow. It again shows the versatility of the band to break out of the style they're used to. Unfortunately unlike Watch It Burn, it ends up a little weak as a song. It's still an awesome song, and will probably end up being polarizing amongst fans. 
7. Doomsday: The closest to deathcore Greeley has ever come, easily one of their heaviest songs. A great way to end the album. Great vocals demonstrating a dynamic range, great guitar work, mind blowing drumming, intense lyrics, well produced. Leaves you rushing to hit the repeat button

Album as a whole

This isn't a full album, it is part one of a two part EP release, still seven songs is a pretty good length. It definitely leaves you wanting more though, but it's a good thing. You'll find yourself abusing the repeat button of your player. The album shows the band is maturing and starting to branch away from pure metalcore. Like mentioned before it's very well produced, all the sounds come together in harmony nothing is over nor underpowered. 

Wrap up

It's comendable and a bit mind blowing to have a band release an album a year, and still remain fresh. The Narrow Road is everything Greeley Estates and more so. Fantastic vocals, haunting and intense lyrics, the best guitars thus far, and hard hitting and versatile drumming. Whether a new fan or old this EP will appeal to everyone as it should. It'll be fun to watch Greeley Estates explore different directions musically and I look forward to next year's EP and the albums to come.

Buy now on Bandcamp or Amazon and soon iTunes