Something exciting is emerging on the metal scene in Victoria. The sound is powerful. The EP is ‘So Thankful’. The band is A Sound Mind.
This four-piece rock outfit have merged an inspiring heavy sound with ambient orchestra to create a unique sound of their own that is winning fans over left, right and centre. No wonder they quit their day jobs to take up music full time. The key to the band is the strong vocal ability of Anthony Kupinic. Tough and uncompromising, Kupinic has the ability to quickly change gears when required to a softer, more emotive tone. Another key asset is Kiran Khan on drums. He provides surprisingly powerful drumming to give the songs an extra element of strength. There is also good variation during A Sound Mind’s songs, as opposed to a lot of other local hardcore which appear to think that being full on from the start to end of a song will make any bad song good. A Sound Mind have nice progressions and there is growth in their songs.
The title track, ‘So Thankful’, is extra special through its interesting use of keys to augment the dark atmosphere created by the music. And typical of the other songs on the EP, the lyrics are uplifting and inspiring; a nice change from the usual depressing themes from other metal or post-punk bands. If there is a criticism to be made, it is to the song writing of the band. The lyrics, a little too often, venture into bad teenage poetry territory: “I’m on the drug that I like to call life/Almost stopped breathing but I’ve come back to life”. This is not a criticism isolated to A Sound Mind. It is a criticism of the genres in which A Sound Mind draws its influences. Here’s hoping A Sound Mind overcome this.
On ‘Repairable’, the band goes for a more epic sound and unfortunately fails to pull it off. Instead of being captivating, it comes off as rather dull and uninteresting. Fortunately, it is only a minor aberration. The almost required ballad for heavy bands comes in the form of ‘Ash to Flame’ in which Kupinic’s vocals are delivered in an almost commercial/top 40 manner. And while this could have been an annoying distraction, it allows him to fully display his ability. The EP’s closer, ‘What’s Out There For Me’ is a pulsating, energetic song. There is jarring guitar and some sharp drumming. It is short and punchy and a nice change up to the ban’s usual sound.
Keep your ears open for A Sound Mind. They offer something much more than the drivel provided by other local hardcore bands. They’re classy and with the potential to grow much, much more.
