EP Review: Prima Materia

You may never call AOSI boring.

I listened to this EP: Prima Materia (Latin: First Matter) in my car while on a lunch break and I can say it’s the most thought provoking, interesting and creative effort I’ve seen come out of the NZ music scene this far.

These guys have dived headfirst into all the up-and-coming genres in the rock and metal scene and executed each one with laser precision- from the 2000’s grungy/alt metal Restored to the Midwest inspired Math rock closer: One Thing Will Flow.

Before I go any further I need to talk about the song Sunrise.

It is easily the best song on the album and could very well be the song of the year, it’s raw, emotional and creatively spilling out with incredible songwriting and performances alike.

Scarlet Sky is a strong runner up with modern metal influences and the same creative forces pushing through the eardrums.

There are a multitude of influences, too many to count by hand- but each merge seamlessly into an ever-changing soundscape that AOSI have crafted.

The lead vocalists, Dylan Jonkers and Connor Matthew, provide a solid, versatile platform which suits their style, but personally I believe they lack a degree of power behind their voices to cut through the mix.

Besides that, this is a 10/10 release; which I can only convey in words. Nonetheless, this world is not ready for what AOSI will unleash upon it.