Songwriting duo with a chip on their shoulder
Progressive metal is a genre that by its sheer nature is hard to define and classify. It is a term usually used to describe metal that doesn't fit in under any of the other numerous subgenres or metal that features a certain level of technicality.
Though the band's name can be deceiving, Thomas Taylor is actually not the name of one person, but rather a portmonteau of sorts derived from the two members, Aaron Taylor Pace and Philip Thomas Wentworth. I suppose it's not entirely unlike groups such as Anderson-Bruford-Wakeman-Howe. The duo features no vocalist, and this EP - entitled (rather paradoxically) "Yet to be Named" - is as such focused on instrumentals. The main attraction would at first listen seem to be the dominant, proficiently executed guitar shredding, but this 3-song EP actually also sports some quite interesting and fresh drums, even if these sound very mechanical due to them being programmed.
What I find spectacular about this release is the amount of detail. With every listen additional elements and layers become apparent, and this can be said with all aspects of the EP. Now the Thomas Taylor duo isn't so much progressive in the sense that they're pushing the boundaries of ability, but rather in the sense that they experiment with structure, ambience and detail on a level that doesn't warrant any other description.
Though the band's name can be deceiving, Thomas Taylor is actually not the name of one person, but rather a portmonteau of sorts derived from the two members, Aaron Taylor Pace and Philip Thomas Wentworth. I suppose it's not entirely unlike groups such as Anderson-Bruford-Wakeman-Howe. The duo features no vocalist, and this EP - entitled (rather paradoxically) "Yet to be Named" - is as such focused on instrumentals. The main attraction would at first listen seem to be the dominant, proficiently executed guitar shredding, but this 3-song EP actually also sports some quite interesting and fresh drums, even if these sound very mechanical due to them being programmed.
What I find spectacular about this release is the amount of detail. With every listen additional elements and layers become apparent, and this can be said with all aspects of the EP. Now the Thomas Taylor duo isn't so much progressive in the sense that they're pushing the boundaries of ability, but rather in the sense that they experiment with structure, ambience and detail on a level that doesn't warrant any other description.
"The contrast between ambience and distortion is where their flair for detail becomes most apparent, even if the guitars cut like blades."
It goes without saying that one of the mainstays in metal, meaning hefty guitar riffs of course, are also found in abundance on the pair's debut. The contrast between ambience and distortion is where their flair for detail becomes most apparent, even if the guitars cut like blades.
Even though Thomas Taylor has made an EP that to some degree stands out among unsigned bands, I still feel there's a lot to be accomplished for them. First of all, not choosing a cheesy as hell cover would be a great start. Hiring a real drummer would also be a big step in the right direction in terms of phase out their more mechanical elements. "Yet to be Named" has a lot of depth, but depth doesn't cut it alone.
Even though Thomas Taylor has made an EP that to some degree stands out among unsigned bands, I still feel there's a lot to be accomplished for them. First of all, not choosing a cheesy as hell cover would be a great start. Hiring a real drummer would also be a big step in the right direction in terms of phase out their more mechanical elements. "Yet to be Named" has a lot of depth, but depth doesn't cut it alone.
6/10
Released in 2011 independently
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