WARPSTORMER - Here Comes Hell (Review)

Written by: The Administrator

I love when the comments under a release on Bandcamp demonstrate a unified point of view. In the case of Here Comes Hell, the debut 4-track EP from WARPSTORMER, that point of view across the listening base is pretty damn clear. In a word: this thing has riffs. Riffs on riffs on (dare I say) more riffs. As it happens, I'm a bit of a riff connoisseur myself, and after listening to this EP for the third time today, I find myself agreeing with the consensus. This thing packs 'em in and unleashes 'em with the confidence of a seasoned act and the haste of a band excited to parade their entire arsenal in a single 20 minutes span.

That said, the four tracks here are quite varied. The first three lean in varying degrees towards the thrashier end of the self-described "stoner-thrash" genre tag, and closer "Reap What You've Sown (Devourer)" carries itself with a slower and more melancholic air. WARPSTORMER serve up a very nice mix of elements, and their willingness to shake up the pace and mood demonstrates potential for a wide array of sight and sounds in subsequent work. I certainly hope a full album of this stuff is on the horizon...but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. While the future of the band is indeed exciting, Here Comes Hell deserves time to shine on the basis of its own merits.

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Opener "Here Comes Hell" is a rip-roaring barn-burner of a track, equal parts galloping and groovy. There's crunchy riffs, and sludgy riffs, and a solo that feels like borderline stoner blues when seated adjacent to such pugilistic hooks. And while the guitar generally does take center stage, the bass and drums don't slouch in the slightest. There's a hefty and pounding drive at the heart of this EP, and the resulting foundation keeps the whole affair feeling quite grounded. The vocals are powerful as well, and the delivery varies from track to track in a fashion that helps keep things fresh.
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If full-body headbanging is your priority, "Storm-caller" is a prime candidate for cardio soundtrack  o' the day. The monstrous riffs rip and tear with forthright menace, maintaining a catchy and violent wave-against-breaker churn interrupted only by a furious solo and a tastefully gentle outro. Followup "Ride the Bomb" is pretty damn engaging as well, with a slightly more upbeat and punky sense of energy leading the charge. WARPSTORMER's apparent penchant for dynamic composition is on full display here, as the back half is swallowed by a surprisingly somber breakdown. Lastly, the aforementioned "Reap What You've Sown (Devourer)" breaks from the general trend with a slower and deliberately emotive approach--a veritable stoner-thrash ballad. In isolation it is an excellent track, but as a closer, it is elevated by the contrast in tone from that which came before. 

WARPSTORMER's promo introduces the band as an "ongoing musical endeavour," which is a promising description. After just four tracks I can safely call myself a big fan of this project, and I'll certainly be on the lookout for whatever the trio manages to cook up next. Highly recommended!

WARPSTORMER - Here Comes Hell was released March 4th, 2022, andcan be purchased here!

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