Myopic - Beyond the Mirror's Edge [EP] & the Art of Closing the Deal Properly

Myopic's new EP Beyond the Mirror's Edge is a fine example of how to straddle various sub-genres of metal while remaining coherent and still kicking ass.

The closing track in particular is a slice of brilliance that has to be heard to be believed.  But there's a caveat here and it's quite an interesting one.

It turns out that "Lord of Damnation" is a cover, as pointed out on the EP's Bandcamp page.  The track was written by a Swedish death metal band called Carbonized and was originally released in 1993.

What is most notable about Myopic's version of the track is that they take no liberties with it.  There are no grand, sweeping changes in the playing or in the arrangement.  Of course, the song kicks ass, because it's a prime example of how riffs can be weaved together along with some sturdy drumming and adventurous bass.  One of my favorite parts is when the guitar follows the bass while playing different intervals.  They're basically playing the same rhythm, but because the guitar is playing notes with larger "spaces" between them, it creates an interesting dissonance where the listener expects them to play the same thing in concert, but instead they diverge.  It is a fantastic effect.

All told, Myopic does the song justice and it closes the EP in a satisfying way. In fact, for those who might not appreciate the impudent genre-jumping (and occasional non-metal moments, i.e. the riff around 7:30) of previous track "Backstitch", "Lord of Damnation" is perfect.

I don't think it's a coincidence that the band chose "Lord of Damnation" to close the EP.  In addition to my opinion on the role of atmosphere in metal, I have a strong opinion on track sequencing.  I think each album/EP/split/what have you ought to have a strong opener and a strong closer.  It basically works like this: a strong opener draws in the listener, and a strong closer leaves the listener feeling satisfied, or blown away, or some other feeling that resembles contentment.

There are many ways to develop a strong opener/closer tandem, of course. And for as long as metal has been around, bands have tried all sorts of avenues.  But what really makes an opener/closer strong is the same thing that makes any song under the banner of metal a quality offering: guitar riffs. "Lord of Damnation" has them in spades and the players (whether those of Carbonized or Myopic) play them with the requisite force and passion required to keep the listener attentive and head-banging.

Really, all I want is to be engaged by quality writing and playing.  Myopic has done that, and I hope that they continue to do so.

LINKS:
Myopic - Beyond the Mirror's Edge: https://grimoirerecords.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-mirrors-edge
Carbonized's "Lord of Damnation": http://t.co/Hcj7LzZ6OC