EP review: The Safety Fire – Sections

So, what have we here? Another British extreme metal outfit, that’s what – London youngsters The Safety Fire have been scraping up strong reviews for their live appearances in support of better-known outfits, and the Sections EP, their (apparently self-funded) début release, makes it pretty clear why; theirs is a heady blend of technical aggression and atmospheric sonic architecture.

I’m really liking the contrast in the vocals, with strong and distinctive clean singing (with a hint of Fear Factory choral layering) balanced by furious throaty yells, the rabbit-punch savagery of which is emphasised by laser-cut staccato chords and high-precision drumwork. Veering from pounding bludgeon to Tool-esque passages of sinuous looping guitar riffs and back again, The Safety Fire keep you on your toes; there’s plenty to enjoy here, whether you’re listening for virtuoso instrument skills at the nuts and bolts level or inventive songwriting and structural work. Better yet, the Sections EP is surprisingly listenable by comparison to much of the other extreme metal I’ve been exposed to; there’s no shortage of pace and polyrhythmic lunacy, but it’s never at the expense of the songs. They have their own sound, but there’s enough variety to keep things interesting on repeat listens – even the obligatory delicate clean guitar of “Sululary” and classic progressive intro to “Spoilage” step slightly away from current trends while showing a more contemplative side to a very in-your-face outfit.

The production is clean, strong and unobtrusive; the tone is contemporary. Quite why The Safety Fire aren’t signed already is something of a mystery to me, but then these are troubled times for the recording side of the music industry, especially here in the UK. One thing’s likely, though: a young band with this degree of skill and invention on their first self-funded release aren’t going to go unnoticed for much longer.