EP Review: Departure

Departure is a 4 track instrumental metal EP that captures the multifaceted experience of a journey—both outward and inward. Auckland based guitarist, Michael McIlvride, has created a narrative that’s sonically diverse, combining elements of progressive metal, post-metal, and thrash with moments of atmospheric reflection and guitar prowess. In place of lyrics, we have Michael’s guitar doing the storytelling, giving the listener a feeling of racing toward the unknown, full-throttle and unstoppable.

Departure kicks off with Open Road, a track that wastes no time in establishing the EP’s strong pulse. The thrash drumming rhythm is punchy and captures the feeling of anticipation and freedom. There’s a cinematic quality to the song, as if it’s the soundtrack to a car blasting through an open highway, leaving life behind in the rearview mirror. At the midway point, the track dips into more of a melodic, atmospheric breakdown before revving back up with a spine-tingling solo.

Track 2, Crash & Burn, is perhaps not a desirable description when imagining flying down the highway, but I think that it is aptly named. The drumming rhythm feels darker on this one, keeping up with the fast-paced energy of our intro track, and the guitar work is tight and precise. I thought the addition of hi-hat at the 2:40 mark was a tasteful choice, as it helped to add layers to the sound, giving the track some extra character.

Things slow down a bit more in the first minute of Nomad, the feeling of this one was reminiscent of Broken by Seether, or maybe a Red Jumpsuit Apparatus vibe, giving more of that 2000’s alt-rock feel. I enjoyed the strumming and the tab in this one, it is very pretty while being melancholic, and it went straight to the heart of the emo-kid within me. The last third of Nomad surprised me, I think this was a standout track in terms of display of Michael’s technical mastery. Allowing his instruments to speak for him, creating a palpable atmosphere of longing and passion. It is certainly the track you would put on to stare wistfully out of the window while you’re driving.

Spiralling, our final track, is relentlessly energetic from the first second. It has a bit more of a groove going on compared to the other tracks, which plays over those signature thrash drums once more. Michael closes his EP with a blisteringly fast guitar solo, this one is intense! Even if you aren’t a huge fan of metal, the precision and mastery of these songs is incredible.