Shuffling through my inbox this morning, I came across an EP from Norman rock band Haumea. Unborn, released in December last year, is a short, sharp jolt of metal infused rock music. Comprising four tracks, the EP weighs in at under twenty-minutes but, within that time frame, it covers a lot of ground.
The EP bursts into life with the frantic riffing of the title track. A fine, adrenalin-charged opener, it offers a number of surprises from the predominantly clean vocals of Niko to the sudden stops executed by the rhythm section. Second track, not usual sees drummer Seb enjoying a sweaty workout as the rolling thunder of his toms paves the way for Andy’s savage chordal assault. With elements of Therapy?, Motorhead and Helmet all flying through the band’s DNA, there’s a lot for fans of the blistering riff to get their teeth into and there’s a nervy, punky edge to the band’s delivery that adds to the sense of danger for all the memorable melodies the band weave into the mix. Employing an unexpectedly light touch on the intro for Dad is fool, the listener finds themselves on the back foot as the track suddenly erupts around them, all sludgy riffing and gruff vocals. It’s refreshing to hear a band that don’t telegraph their every move, and as the track devolves, layers of echoing laughter chase the listener back out into the sunlight. It leaves only Here I am, the only track on the EP to top four minutes, to round the record out. Blisteringly heavy and built around a Muse-referencing guitar riff (think Stockholm syndrome as covered by Neurosis), it brings the EP to a hugely satisfying end, as the band lead the listener by the hand through a number of sonic twists and turns.
At sixteen minutes, unborn is but the merest glimpse of the potential that Haumea harbour, and, it is tantalising indeed. All four tracks are exquisitely crafted, but if here I am doesn’t leave you feeling bereft at the conclusion, you may well be clinically dead. A totally unexpected gem, Unborn is one of those rare EPs that grabs you from the off and steadfastly refuses to let go. Thoroughly recommended. 9
