Dead Earth Politics have been building up an exciting name for themselves over the past few years. They've had a rather unique strategy of putting out EP's rather than full lengths, and their new offering, Mobius Hammersmith is both their most technical and heaviest record to date. It's an album that lives up to the band's full potential. After years of the band's distinct Lamb Of God meets Iron Maiden sound hinting at greatness, the band has started to clench their collective fist around the power they have always had. Dead Earth Politics understand everything that makes heavy metal triumphant and gently cultivate it into something magical. They have found the essence of the genre and reminded us that this is music meant for maniacs and badasses, and their burning passion is apparent with every crazy chorus. Mobius Hammersmith, while undeniably dorky, shows us the spirit of a band who clearly are in love with all that they have created and the magic of what is to come.
I think one of the main things that draws me back to Dead Earth Politics time and time again is Ven Scott's impressive vocals. The dude has some incredible pipes and great control. His delivery has come to define the band and shows that this is a group who can hold their own with the best of them. Meanwhile, from a songwriting perspective, Mobius Hammersmith features the band's best material yet. The solos are wonderfully composed, as are the blaring rhythm sections, and the band does not hesitate to show off their chops. I love me a flashy solo or two, and when brought in conjunction with a few powerful lead lines running under the rest of the music you find yourself deep inside a record that speaks to the enduring power of heavy metal. A lot of bands these days try really hard to be serious, and rarely go for the bombastic elements that Mobius Hammersmith so clearly revels in. There is an inherent sense of chaos here, and that makes this album endlessly attractive to me. Though it only has five tracks, I can't help but to come back time and time again. Of course, having only five tracks is a limitation, and while I like what the band is doing from a marketing perspective, the record still feels too short, the ideas undeveloped, even if there is a lot to pick apart.
I guess it's not really a complaint when I say that I want more, obviously if I want more it's because the band is damn good. Still, I feel like they haven't fully realized their true potential. While this record is certainly head and shoulders over anything else the band has put out, it shows me that there is far more great stuff to come. They have successfully created their own void in the metal scene, borrowing from a lot of traditional metal tropes to craft something that is wholly their own. Dead Earth Politics are an exciting band, and one who will bring metal fans of all stripes circling back to worship at the altar of their unique sound and powerful delivery. Watching this band grow has been a pleasure, and I'm certain the best is yet to come.
Score: 8/10
