Having seen Limerick’s Zealot Cult play an excellent set at Siege of Limerick, I had high expectations for this three-track EP, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The title track shows a strong grasp of song-writing craft; the song is intricate and yet economic at the same time, clever but not cluttered. Most pleasing of all is a strong grasp of dynamics, and change of pace. On the remaining two tracks, ‘Eternal Winter’ and ‘Suffocation of the Mind’, Zealot Cult shows a similar set of song-writing skills. Playing-wise, the band’s live work has paid off, their music having a strong unity and organic feel to it, some truly virtuoso guitar work there, but again it serves the song rather than the player, and all the band are similarly skilled. I hear no weak links here courtesy of a strong production. Excellent artwork from the talented Ken Coleman too. Karmenian Crypt looks as good as it sounds.
Zealot Cult are to be commended for their commitment to the physical form of music and getting it into shops and shows. For a full-length album they would be a strong investment for any record label.
One to watch!
(Self-released)