Hematite is a hard, steel-gray-colored stone with a metallic sheen. It comes from the Greek word “blood” (hema), alluding to the rust to dark red colored streaks that often run through the stone. Fitting for a duo that formed from former metal outfits, vocalist Davey Muise (Vanna, Trove) and guitarist/vocalist Andrew Gaultier (Big 50, To Speak of Wolves, He is Legend), come together to strike while the iron is hot to forge a new genre crossover. Hematite is where the Wild West meets metal; it’s ‘Gothic Western’.
It could be best described as plucking style aspects from alt-folk/gothic blues outfit Me and That Man, and adding the hushed but husky vocal delivery of experimental alt-rock group MCC [Magna Carta Cartel]. It truly is a peculiar mix of genres and style choices. Speak of the Devil is wrapped in lip-curled snarls that are complemented by clean-toned vocals, and a hefty mix of Western influences like twangy and reverberated guitar, thick bass lines, classical string elements, even some flamenco style guitar riffs as heard in the middle-end of the melancholic track ‘Go West’.
‘Big Bad Wolf’ was the first single released by the new duo. It was a worthy introduction as they demonstrated their vision for Hematite. A buzzy intro feeds into a low acoustic guitar riff, as it saunters along and highlights the likes of a lone villain with their layered vocal style, “Yeah I’m the big bad wolf, I make lots of sounds, when I come to town, to hunt you down”. There is even a touch of vocal heaviness to the otherwise stalking-paced track.
‘Adios’, the final track of the EP but the first music video release for the band, is a strong note to end on in true outlaw fashion. It’s the promise for revenge. Listen close; the sound of the spurs on his heels click with each menacing step he takes.
While Speak of the Devil is filled mostly with Western musical influence with the echoed and gruffed vocals taking the lead, it will be interesting to see how they experiment within the playscape the duo has set up for themselves. They’ve piqued a curiosity, and hopefully, they are able to build upon it and see it flourish.
Buy the EP here:
8 / 10
JESSIE FRARY