Review : Vérbulcsú EP by MAEOTIS

Today, I will review the MAEOTIS EP entitled "Vérbulcsú”. This EP is officially made of three tracks but actually contains five tracks. The two other tracks are hidden shaman songs with lyrics unavailable inside the booklet, unlike the three others.

01. Untitled Track 

The first track is one of the two hidden folk song made of zither, jaw’s harp, singing and shaman drum. The track is rather average. 

Length : 1 minute 30.

02. Vérbulcsú

The second track starts rather soft. Clean strings sound like they tell a nice journey is but saturation shortly introduced at 0.13 and then to 1.34 it becomes stronger within some palm muted (1.58) on strings and making things serious more. The transition from soft to metal is nice. Vocals go to the same mood as music on the respective parts (clean and saturation). 

Guitars become faster with that powerful riff so are drums a little which previously were on smooth tempo. From that moment can be listened both type of vocals. Clean vocals sound crunchy more here, or sound like one tired voice that needs some rest as It will soon. :/

2.29 is another change ruled by the guitars where speed interfered in. The special guest, Bence Molnár, comes in with synth to 2.54 about. This part with the singing until 4.00 reminds Alestorm band. Measure from 2.29 returns and then, the previous ones with some arrangements. We can feel they thought straight to the structure for this song. The “instrumental Alestorm part” comes back after the 5 minutes and then is a lacking solo… Arranged part two is very short and then, a riff that reminds Amon Amarth a bit. :) Guitars part from 6.34 lack of interest and I wonder what happened but tempo returns “smooth” ending this song (7.19).

03. A Horka

The third track begins with soft drums, and clean sound like the previous song. One with chords, another with melody. Clean vocals entering together with the overdrive strings (0.14) could sound better. The head bang mode can start to 0.45 with that nice guitar part but then, once the vocals are back, that change for all happening from 1.05 to 1.30 is nothing amazing chorus. Cool riffs shaping on the next verse and then, chorus again. The whole returns after. Drums, guitars and all to 2.43 make me think to “Smells like teen spirit” song by Nirvana but within less power. Vocals return until one nice guitar part. 3.20 is actually the same as beginning but arranged. Vocals aren’t amazing at all on this song but is the following around 3.50 supposed to be a guitar solo ? … 0.14 part returns on 4.20 and then is the intro making the outro within some jaw’s harp added.

04. Untitled Track

Folk instruments from the first track of this record appear again but the song is different and a bit better but way too short (0.40).

05. Lél Kürtje

Intro starts the same as “A Horka” but with a different musical sentence that I appreciate better. Distortion strings follow ‘em after and finally, drummer is not asleep and saying something with those fast beats for short time and different games. 0.32 sounds like detuned B-string guitar. That part could sound better. Distorted singing enters at 0.57 and everyone sounds nice there. Tempo becomes a bit faster at 1.13. Change happening 10 seconds after like one instrument replying to the others making a nice effect, until they go together again and with less distorted vocals. That part returns but those clean vocals after don’t make it right and, sound like the previous tracks. Same go for the instruments. Around 3.00, everything turns slower until to hear clean melody and 20 seconds after, it sounds like a new track is on smooth tempo. Nothing really outstanding here during that clean singing, but a bit better on that next and harsh vocals part and deafening beats. Some funny games are from that “thrash guy” behind the kit. Previous and arranged part from 2.30 is back. Heavy guitar enters to 5.00 for 20 seconds or so but I think that nice short part is bad placed here while everyone is doing their respective part. The song ends with speedy instruments while vocals ended a bit earlier.

A word to conclude :
I think more trainning for vocals and the strings instrumentists are needed to reach one fine metal level. New ways to compose songs are also required to keep the listener's attention. The band shows its members can play music together but lack of rehearsal and practice. I suggest them to work on more and keep this project "Maeotis" alive.