Anti-Clone - Human

****1/2

Dark powerful Metal with all  the right tricks and none of the gimmicks – Brutal and euphoric

I was excited to listen to the new EP from Anti-Clone, because I had been hearing some great things about them. The five track 'Human' EP is like a cross between Marilyn Manson and Slipknot, with a sprinkling of the Deftones and maybe a bit of Korn. It's heavy as f**k, with a solid wall of bass and guitar chugging with some of the most uplifting soulful choruses possible all alongside dance-able grooves ready to smash up the nightclub.

The guitar playing and tone are incredibly varied, from Deftones atmospherics, Post-Punk noise, glitches, ambiance and then holding off until perfectly placing those huge / big riffs and lethal djenting. Without naming names, a lot of big artists made a career from a few great ideas, made it into their gimmick and then churn out any old shit with the same formula with an ever diminishing return. Anti-Clone show the oldskool how it should be done: no gimmicks... just a whole load of solid delivery using a box of incredible talent.

My first thoughts were "Is this is a self-release?", the production is superb and again gives major label bands a run for their money. If you have not seen the video for 'Human', the title track off the record you can see it at the bottom of the page. I really love this track it is so catchy, and the video looks so professional and wouldn't be out of place on MTV a long with videos by other major Metal acts like Slipknot, Korn, Limp Bizkit and Mudvayne.

I do think though it might be too similar to music videos by bands Mushroomhead and 3Teeth. But who really cares about that, because I really enjoyed it. And their are only so many ideas, any band could use for a music video. And I have to say I have watched it quite a few times, and will be watching it more in the future.

The second track ‘Punish Me’ sits head and shoulders above their peers, and I'd dare say above most of the big label bands too. It has chorus to die for, and it also showcases their secret weapon - These guys know when to hold back and slam it all in just when we need it. Superb song craftmanship.

My only critique would be that the EP could do with a little bit more lower bottom, as the modern mixing and mastering requires.  But that may be just my own personal taste here, because some people might just like it this way. In another timeline, this EP would have featured on The Crow soundtrack and Anti-Clone would have found themselves thrust into the mainstream. Their cover of Bjork’s 'Amy of One' deserves to be on a major film franchise, so hopefully someone will pick it up for this us. 

It blew me away as soon as I listened to it, and then again and again. Its one of the best covers I’ve heard and in a fair World would be heard at least once by everyone. Every DJ needs to spin this. Anti-clone prove they not a clone of any other band, and that they deliver Metal grooves by the bucket load and with enough killer song writing to make the biggest bands shake in their boots.  

Review by Jason Pearson

Check Out! the Video for 'Human' Below...