Rocker (feedbot)
Platinum Member
Temperatures are falling, the nights are drawing in, it’s the season for hibernation, but something is stirring. Profiler are back with ‘Masquerading Self’, an EP that they’re describing as a ‘Nu-metal reawakening’ – thankfully it’s so much more than a reheated corpse.
You know the drill; it’s nu-metal so it’s influenced by the same four bands, features guitars drenched in effects, the vocals are rapped/sung, the riffs are huge and groove-based, there’s a sense of momentum, it packs such a punch every song is like stepping into a boxing ring – and yet – on the opening track Profiler immediately prove they have something else. They’re not content to just be a copycat. Hence it’s is definitely worth your time.
Opening track ‘Illusion’ explodes out of the gate with a chunky guitar sound and snotty hardcore vocal, so far so nu-metal, but then takes an unexpected turn, the vocals drift off into the kind of high-register singing you might find on a European metal release. It’s strange, pleasingly different and works extremely well. Indeed, delving into the six tracks reveals a wealth of ideas; acoustic guitar breaks, back-and-forth vocals, vicious, unexpected breakdowns, it’s filled with strong choices and exciting songwriting.
Taking the cue from guitarists like Wes Borland and James Shaffer the songs are populated with interesting sounds, not just the thumping riffs either, the effects-drenched licks on ‘888’ drip with menace and the percussive playing on ‘Illusion’ has its edges soften to create a sense of unease. There’s a rough effect to ‘Luciferian’ that make it feel hostile, even during the quiet moments. Although ‘Upgrade’ is smeared with a similar layer of audio filth by combining it with a cocksure vocal it soars rather than wallows. This trick is also used on the choruses to ‘Dope’ and ‘Waste’ which feel like a druggy Linkin Park, combining swirly and angry sounds with a strong sense of melody so it still slugs and jabs with enough force to rupture both kidneys.
Where the EP is less successful is when it’s desperately trying to recapture a vibe by doing nu-metal things. This isn’t a straight fusion of metal and hip-hop so record scratches are layered on as part of the production process because they did in 1999. It’s a deeply weird phenomenon and ‘Luciferian’ doesn’t make a strong argument for its inclusion as details get lost in the weird swishing noises. ‘Dope’ is indebted to Linkin Park, surely they could have have copied the fascinating beats that opened songs like ‘Papercut’ rather than a few faux scratches?
Ironically, after releasing a record named ‘A Digital Nowhere’ on Shaprtone records, Profiler now find themselves cut free and digitally self-releasing this new EP. The name ‘Masquerading Self’ implies a facade but while it draws heavily from nu-metal’s big hitters it’s the real deal; strange, slightly contradictory and authentic. The sound of a band reaching into the past, grasping ideas and dragging them into the now, it’s hard-hitting, fluid and an absolute blast.
IAN KENWORTHY
You know the drill; it’s nu-metal so it’s influenced by the same four bands, features guitars drenched in effects, the vocals are rapped/sung, the riffs are huge and groove-based, there’s a sense of momentum, it packs such a punch every song is like stepping into a boxing ring – and yet – on the opening track Profiler immediately prove they have something else. They’re not content to just be a copycat. Hence it’s is definitely worth your time.
Opening track ‘Illusion’ explodes out of the gate with a chunky guitar sound and snotty hardcore vocal, so far so nu-metal, but then takes an unexpected turn, the vocals drift off into the kind of high-register singing you might find on a European metal release. It’s strange, pleasingly different and works extremely well. Indeed, delving into the six tracks reveals a wealth of ideas; acoustic guitar breaks, back-and-forth vocals, vicious, unexpected breakdowns, it’s filled with strong choices and exciting songwriting.
Taking the cue from guitarists like Wes Borland and James Shaffer the songs are populated with interesting sounds, not just the thumping riffs either, the effects-drenched licks on ‘888’ drip with menace and the percussive playing on ‘Illusion’ has its edges soften to create a sense of unease. There’s a rough effect to ‘Luciferian’ that make it feel hostile, even during the quiet moments. Although ‘Upgrade’ is smeared with a similar layer of audio filth by combining it with a cocksure vocal it soars rather than wallows. This trick is also used on the choruses to ‘Dope’ and ‘Waste’ which feel like a druggy Linkin Park, combining swirly and angry sounds with a strong sense of melody so it still slugs and jabs with enough force to rupture both kidneys.
Where the EP is less successful is when it’s desperately trying to recapture a vibe by doing nu-metal things. This isn’t a straight fusion of metal and hip-hop so record scratches are layered on as part of the production process because they did in 1999. It’s a deeply weird phenomenon and ‘Luciferian’ doesn’t make a strong argument for its inclusion as details get lost in the weird swishing noises. ‘Dope’ is indebted to Linkin Park, surely they could have have copied the fascinating beats that opened songs like ‘Papercut’ rather than a few faux scratches?
Ironically, after releasing a record named ‘A Digital Nowhere’ on Shaprtone records, Profiler now find themselves cut free and digitally self-releasing this new EP. The name ‘Masquerading Self’ implies a facade but while it draws heavily from nu-metal’s big hitters it’s the real deal; strange, slightly contradictory and authentic. The sound of a band reaching into the past, grasping ideas and dragging them into the now, it’s hard-hitting, fluid and an absolute blast.
IAN KENWORTHY