From the first slaughtering scream of Stigma to the final frenzy of Maelstrom, Home is the blistering new release from Melbourne’s own House of Thumbs.
With a familiar energy yet a notably heavier vibe, the EP presents a concentrated and natural progression in technicality. The songs are structured with a cohesion that reflects the band’s experience, while the overall sound suggests they have locked on to their sonic niche.
One of the first things I noticed about Home was Linden Audino’s move away from the Serj Tankian-style vocal sections on songs like Impulse (Crossing the Rubicon). Aside from very brief moments on the title track and P.I.G.S, the vocals are consistently heavier throughout the Home EP; the layering of Audino’s brutal screams against the chaos of the music gives the soundscape an ear-battering pulse that is nothing but aurally exciting.
Along with the introduction of seven-string guitars, Home successfully develops the writing style found on previous releases. A combination of precision and fury, the level of complexity is mediated by the deep groove of the bass and the oscillation between periods of serious intensity and thicker, more open rhythms that make you wanna bend your knees and head-bang.
The evolution of Tom Rossell’s drumming is really evident in light of this third release. Again a step heavier, the pace is highly-energetic with an emphatic feel and, on the whole, is incredibly tight.
With exceptional artwork drawn by Nick Rackham, Home is a solid effort for the Melbourne quintet that I’d give two thumbs up if the thumbcutter hadn’t stolen them.