SAILOR HUNTER’s humble beginnings as a one-man band operated by Al Rinald have now sprawled into a monster of modern Swedish metalcore, and that monster has released “Evolution.” The 4-track EP is short, being just under 12 minutes, but length matters less when all four tracks pack this much of a punch. SAILOR HUNTER isn’t new to the EP and single game, as they’ve released fourteen singles and one other EP before this. In 2018, drummer Kutte Gashi joined the fray, with bassist Filip Jovanov and vocalist Liam McDonald following suit. SAILOR HUNTER isn’t the only band Al Rinald has made his mark in though, as he,along with drummer Kutte Gashi are notable members of ZEPHYRA, another Swedish metalcore project. Kutte has had his fair share of credits as well, being the drummer for Swedish power metal ensemble CRYSTAL EYES from 1995-2001 and Swedish power/thrash collective DAMNATORY for the project’s short span. SAILOR HUNTER is currently the most active amongst all related bands, and for adequate reasons. It’s time to see how hard these sailors are being hunted.
The single released for this EP titled “Condemned by Creation,” received a music video released on Inverse Records’ YouTube channel in April 2024, and features the typical first music video of the band playing in a studio or a white room. “Condemned by Creation” was the perfect track to release to build hype for their new project, as it sums up literally everything SAILOR HUNTER has to offer: Interchanging time signatures, a mixture of clean and harsh vocals, pummeling riffs being shoved aside by melodic, piano-driven interludes, everything. A month later, after having the single settle into people’s minds, “Evolution” was brought to light on May 24, 2024.
The first track, “Ashes”, brings more of what you’ve heard in the single, minus the clean vocals, but longer of everything else. The ultra-melodic feel to it can bring back some classic melodeath memories of AT THE GATES, and… wait… are those strings in the background? I didn’t know EPICA ditched Simone Simons for their new track! As a bonus, a music video is available for this song as well, and even a drum playthrough video brought by Kutte that is uploaded on their official YouTube channel, and it’s extremely well done. After observing both videos, you’re immediately thrown back into the atmosphere with “Against All Strife.” Since the EP is already three songs in, the vocals can be easily compared to Jens Kidman of MESHUGGAH: monotonous and raspy, but the lyrics are still audible and understandable, so no complaints there. Somehow, we’re at the last track already; the self-titled “Evolution”. Practically nothing has changed from the last tracks, so if you fell in love with one, you’ll fall in love with all: Simple, melodic metalcore.
If we go back and compare the three tracks to the single “Condemned by Creation,” we can make a couple of comparisons. “Condemned by Creation” is the only track with clean vocals, and also the shortest by half a minute at least. Those factors, in comparison, make it much more commercial than the rest of the release. If you listened to the single first and wanted more of it, you’d be met with a little less than you wanted. If we go the opposite, and you loved the other three tracks and then listened to “Condemned by Creation,” it may turn you off. If you love a mixture of both, then this EP is an instant download for you. Since they already have an extensive back catalogue, there’s more for every fan, no matter which track they liked best.
SAILOR HUNTER have yet to release a full-length album, but their accumulated fans are waiting, myself included. Per usual, many singles have been released since this came out, and that’ll probably lead to an album at some point. But for me to really get excited about new music from them, I’d need some variation. No doubt bands have their own style that they stick with throughout their career. I mean, where would NIGHTWISH be if they stopped sounding like, well, NIGHTWISH? For smaller bands, though, a sound needs to really stick out to capture anybody and everybody they can. If we can see them switch up their style just a little, their audience would increase greatly. I’ll be waiting patiently from the musical sidelines for their first full-length album, but just taking their 12-minute EP and stretching it into 40 minutes would not be the most efficient move. SAILOR HUNTER’s potential is there, and it’s time for them to harness it.
Written by Mitchell Connolly
Tracklist
- Ashes
- Condemned by Creation
- Against All Strife
- Evolution
Lineup
Al – Guitar
Kutte – Drums
Filip – Bass, Vocals
Sebastian Fingal – Vocals (Lead)
Label
Inverse Records
