REVIEW: FROST* – “Others” [EP]

If there’s anything going on in the world right now we can still be happy about, it’s that music is still being released, and we can still get some enjoyment out of it. In early June progessive powerhouse Frost* will be digitally releasing ‘Others’ a six song EP of older and unused material. Clocking in a just over a half hour, it is the first album the band have released since 2016.

The band doesn’t waste any time going for the listeners throat with the opening track “Fathers.” It is in a work classic Frost* and it brought me back to first hearing ‘Milliontown.’ Combining lightning flashes of keywork, heavy guitar, and absolutely thunderous drumming, and of course Jem Godfrey’s vocals, “Fathers” is a thrilling ride that fans can sink their teeth into.

The next track “Clouda” is a bit more laid back for the most part. It is more electronic based, though the heavier rock does pick up during the chorus. There’s also a lovely acoustic section a little less than halfway through. This is the opposite of the following track “Exhibit A,” which fires everything it has straight into progressive metal territory. The song is a rather damning take on things that control our lives, from governments, to jobs, and it cuts with the sharpness of a surgeon’s scalpel. The repeated scream of “we own, we own, we own you” will certainly stick with you. It closes the first half of this EP brilliantly.

I don’t generally go track by track in reviews, but with so few songs, it is hard to avoid. Being honest, the second half of the album falls very far behind the first half for me.  “Fathom” has already been released for a while, so fans have likely made up their mind already. It’s not a bad song, but I just find the whole thing to be flat, and pretty “meh” for the most part of it. Which is still better than “Eat” which I just find to be obnoxious. Primarily an electronica song in nature the band brought in a female vocalist who does little more than sharply sing “Ah, Ah, La, O, O” or something to that effect over and over. I found the whole thing to be incredibly grating, and will generally skip it going forward when I replay the album.

The album ends with “Drown” one of the longest tracks on the album. It is for the most part a quiet song, very keyboard driven, the main key line is very “watery” it flows, and moves like water over a stoney river bed. Towards the end of the song the band brings some light strings into the mix. All and all a very peaceful, and pleasant way to end the album.

Fans of Frost* will have something to look forward to with the release of ‘Others’. It contains some fantastic, and thrilling material, but also demonstrates why some of these songs didn’t make it onto earlier albums in the first place. On the whole though, this is a highly enjoyable, and frequently exciting way to spend a half hour.