Derivate - Self Titled - 5 Track E.P - Re-Released September 2015

Derivate

Self-Titled

5 Track E.P

Re-Released September 2015

Written for Metal Gods Meltdown

Derivate – Geneva, Switzerland

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Derivatemusic

Engineered and mixed by Nicolas Haerri

Mastering by Jens Brogen.

Artwork by Zach Dischner.

Genre: Progressive

Biography:

“After five years of experience gleaned over the four Geneva concerts, Jeremy Davis, Alain Chiesa, Theodore Davis and Nouchine Etemad redefine themselves through new group: Derivate with maturity, the artist often returns to simplicity. This is the precisely the direction now takes with this new EP. And by focusing on the composition vocals, guitars, and the melodies on the bass with drum groove, and exploring the borders of metal sounds.

This new album is the empirical part of a reflection on art and especially on musical composition. The approach is novel and unique in so far as it respects

harmony, but is rooted in the conceptual composition, two approaches often opposed.

To dial five paintings that form this EP Nouchine Etemad used a method special composition. It consists of creating a first pattern or riff that occupies symbolic opening position or introduction. Then, the composer returns to the pass several times or recording head and leaves in some way his mind guide on what should follow. These indications may appear as a signature rhythmic, sometimes like a melody, atmosphere, modulation or a change in sudden dynamic. Very soon the composer leaves guided by his own desires following thus a structure is created, never a party repeats. The result is an EP of 30 minutes ranging from melodic rock accents "Opethiens" and metal sounds where modern rhythmic assaults of double pedal and guitars hit you hard in the heart!”

Storm

This is one serious track that spreads its beautifully sculpted wings over the ears and coaxes them with beauty until that is, a shadow of ferociousness cuts in and turns it on its head and then the progressive side takes over once again only to turn it back again.  The textures musically speaking are fluent and crisp but let down by the raspy strained vocal.

Dawn

Is a long stretch of tempered beats and ambient melodic hues, however the rougher the musical edge, the better the vocals sound accompanied by the slices of raw hooks and mesmerising guitar that once again turn back their wings from butterfly to a Chrysalis.

Awakening

Is hard edge track that lunges with a fevered brow that remains in the same vein as the previous tracks turning from harsh to light in an instant although very powerful, transmits a rhythmic swagger of niggling grooves?

Downfall

Unfortunately, so far all the tracks seem to have repeated themselves in the dominant vein of a progressive mood which is fine be it within the bands genre, but this track with its tempestuous guitar although tempting, sadly comes too late to save itself.

Cycle

This track has a nice chug, jabs with a heartfelt beat, and probably the best track on the E.P but I feel the band need to up their game if they want to create a lasting impression with the overall E.P and not just one or maybe two tracks.

Summary:

I found myself edging away from this re-release of Derivate not because the music wasn’t good, but each track simply gave nothing out in order to focus the attentions on and the vocals bar one track were just not suited to the music.

Progressive can sometimes be like this – very difficult to let the mind focus as there are all defining parts that try and jump out at you in various stages of the composition.

I feel the band have tried to vary their music by making it sound a little harsher in places but it just seems false to me and they have stuck with this flavour instead of keeping to within their progressive element.

The vocals are grating and raspy and yes great for the track ‘Dawn’ however the rest of the E.P suffers after this – maybe the band should try getting in another vocalist who does throaty growls and thereby creating something a bit more jaw dropping than the average raspy croon.

When the band focus in on their progressive comfort zone it does sound pretty amazing, but sadly it doesn’t last long enough and therefore instead of drawing attention to the tracks it kind of loses its way a bit and plums for a harder edge which is great for diversity but not when all the tracks sound in a very similar vein.

6/10

Track List:

Storm

Dawn

Awakening

Downfall

Cycle

Members:

Jeremy Davis – Vocals/Guitar

Nouchine Etamad – Guitar

Alain Chiesa – Bass

Théo Davis – Drums