Review: “Human” by Anti-Clone

After a pair of well received records in 2014 EP “Hands Sewn Together” and 2016 full length “The Root Of Man” produced by Matt Hyde (Slipknot, Bullet For My Valentine, Machine Head) and numerous high profile tours with Mushroomhead, Hacktivist and Bleed From Within, not to mention appearances at Bloodstock and Amplified festivals in both 2016 and 2017 it was a surprise that Boston’s Anti-Clone disappeared four years ago. Their hiatus has however been brought to an end with the self styled Nu-Apocalytic mask and make-up wearing Metal crew not only having a new line up of vocalist Peter “CLΩNE” Moore, guitarist William “26” Richardson, drummer Drew “ALPHA” Moore and bassist Pat “KAKES” Godinho, but recording a new EP. Produced by David Radahd-Jones (Heaven’s Basement) and recorded at Red City Recordings in Manchester and Safe Haven Studios, this is one they’re calling “Human“…

…with flavours of 90’s industrial tinged Nu-Metal acts like Marilyn Manson and Dope, opening cut and title track “Human” brings sinister samples and bouncy riffs to the plate and while it’s nothing you won’t have heard before, it is a well put together anthemic number orientating around the creepy chant of “Get your God, Praise your gun, Oh what fun it is to be a human“. The darker tone is what makes it work as well as it does and the chorus is infectious. Next out of the gate we have “Punish Me“, another three and a half minute cut that bounces in the verse and then provided a tasteful melody in the chorus without losing any of the tension and momentum the band create as they go. Moore’s vocals swing like a pendulum from the vicious and violent to the merciful lament like a the voices in the head of someone who suffers from a Biopolar disorder and the anthemic Nu-Metal sounds drive things forward. While there has been no huge evolution in sound since the bands last album “End Of The World” does show a much improved grasp of melody with an emotive tension and volatility to it that is captivating while being strong enough to feel gritty and raw. An unexpected powerhouse at the center of the record, it confirms that Anti-Clone still have what it takes to grow while still retaining the core of their sound. A venomous blast of hatred that has a feral nature to it “Spiteful” bites back against the mass media and the propaganda freight train of the years of the great plague while screaming “I just want to live!“. The surprise is the finale which is cover of “Army Of Me” by Bjork, something done several times recently, including by Canadian supergroup Imonolith. Here Anti-Clone stamp their authority on the cut from the very start, giving us a pulverising rhythmic battering of venomous intent and making it their own, which is something we love to hear. All in all, a welcome return for a band who don’t sound like they’ve been away [7/10]

Track Listing

  1. Human
  2. Punish Me
  3. End Of The World
  4. Spiteful
  5. Army Of Me (CD Bonus Track) (Bjork Cover)

Human” by Anti-Clone is out 16th September 2022 with physical edition pre-orders available here.

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