19th April 2025

Review: “Cold Blooded” by Reptilian

Formed in the winter of isolation and discontent of 2020, Reptilian started a fire in the Nashville heavy scene. Above those flames a witches cauldron was placed as each musician brought elements from their influences and threw it in. A toxic brew of Thrash, Doom, Metalcore, Progressive and classic Traditional Heavy Metal formed and cooled to create obsidian as the band played every diner, drive-in and dive in the neighbourhood that had electricity. 2022 saw them record a five track demo live on the floor in their practice space and a year later they unveiled a debut full length in “Heat Death” that smells as fresh as a daisy. Highly charged live shows, podcast interviews and video content later and with the help of engineer and producer Nathan Yarborough (Kittie, Stone Sour, Mastodon), an EP titled “Cold Blooded” has landed in our laps…

…one interesting element of Reptilian is that all four members of the band contribute music and lyrics to “Cold Blooded” with vocalist and guitarist Jake Kinsch also handing mastering. He’s joined by fellow vocalist and guitarist Chris Stark, bassist Robert Calandriello and drummer Zecheriah Montgomery for this four track affair starts with “Non-Human“, a cut of pure blood and thunder with a tasteful pair of face melting solos. Stylistically there are a sprinkling of Mastodon and Metallica in the mix with a punchy attitude and an introspective lyrical narrative that doesn’t scream woe is me. The harsh vocals are arguably the single heaviest element but aren’t overpowering. Introducing some ethereal clean vocals “Paycheck” bounces like a rubber ball, “You’re nothing but a paycheck!” roared between granite solid headbangable riffs before another classy solo. Throwing some gasoline on the flames, the intensity increases with the opening of “Lawman Homicide” which screams Municipal Waste influences with classic Thrash riffs. Tempo changes and a whammy bar drop solo are very well executed to bring it all together in style, the lyrical narrative a storyboard concept for a Netflix cult movie. “Murder Sickness” finishes off the collection with beast from the blue lagoon, slick Groove Thrash laden riffs flying in all directions with caustic vocals about exposing hypocrisy taking centre stage. The fickle finger of fate points as the victim turns killer, a bloodcurdling roar followed by a downtempo slow down of a finale making this one a sure fire stone cold winner [7.5/10]

Track Listing