Otherwise released latest EP Some Kind of Alchemy on August 22.
From the get-go, I know this is going to be a classic hard rock record, as everything from the opening riffs of Bloody Knuckles, Broken Glass, to the sultry vocals talking about Russian roulette, being haunted by the truth and feeling hatred have me hooked.
The angsty ‘won’t you take my suffering’ in Have You Seen any God Damn Dignity? is a great line, particularly when it’s backed up with some cool drum fills and is delivered with angst.
Lead single Stop Drop & Roll (Doesn’t Work in Hell) is a bit of an interesting one as it’s actually a song that work began on years ago, focusing on the price of the lives lost in the Iraq war. It’s a powerful song and includes chanting which will go down well.
Shapes of Metal turns into a power ballad, openly talking about suicide and saying something beautiful, with soaring, melodic vocals over a calming guitar lick, with the intensity building slightly to the chorus.
Emerson Road also showcases calming, almost pleading vocals over an acoustic instrumentation. It’s a lovely song.
Every track also has a stand out guitar line, including the slick lines during I Am Spartacus, which also has some more in your face vocal deliveries.
The song titles are interesting, with the likes of Have You Seen My God Damn Dignity and Stop, Drop & Roll (Doesn’t Work in Hell).
Otherwise have fully embraced their hard rock roots with this new EP and they absolutely smash it.
The EP sees the band reconnect with original drummer Dave McMahan and his influence is seen throughout, with some sick fills.
Otherwise’s new EP Some Kind of Alchemy is out now through Seek and Strike.