Mezmik – Unlikely Hero

Mezmik
Unlikely Hero
Out: July 15^th, 2024
Playing time: 30:50

Mezmik hail from Brisbane (Queensland, Australia) and were founded in 2019. The five-piece band is dedicated to Melodic Metal with Symphonic elements. “Unlikely Hero” is the band’s debut EP. However, the highlight of their career was probably supporting Blind Guardian on their God Machine Tour in February.

After the intro “New Dawn”, which is not bad, but nevertheless unnecessary, the EP starts with the title track “Unlikely Hero”. Although this also has its own intro with computer-generated strings, the rhythm section soon kicks in powerfully. This power is somewhat reduced by the beguiling vocals of Jolene Turnbull. This contrasts with the evil growls of guitarist Christopher Fowler (?) and the singer’s sometimes technically alienated voice. As before, you can also hear a short intro to “Flames and Fury”. The string tapestries continue later, when things get heavier but still in the mid-tempo range. Powerful drumming and heavy riffs also provide a good dose of Metal power during the vocals. A little industrial, a little symphonic, that’s how “Broken Love” starts. Jolene sings with a pleasantly dark timbre while she is accompanied by guitar riffs. In terms of the short intro, not many changes in “Hollow” either, except that it is much shorter here. The song itself is even quieter and tends towards a ballad. The vocals again sound beguiling, elf-like. And you can hear evil growls again. As well as a big solo on a heavily distorted guitar. In “Heart Once Torn”, there are sound gimmicks as an introduction, paired with hard guitar riffs. The rhythm guitar sounds slightly hectic. Despite a slight increase in tempo, the mid-tempo range is barely left. Again, the vocals are slightly technically alienated. Not much more needs to be said about the song intros. In “Killer” it’s drums mixed with Symphonic elements. One last time, there is the alternation of beguiling female soprano vocals and harsh male growls in the style of “Beauty and the Beast”.

Mezmik are not reinventing Melodic or Symphonic Metal. But they have found their own sound pattern. That’s good, so you don’t hear the hundredth reincarnation of something all too familiar. In my opinion, the short song intros could be toned down a bit and the individual songs could be given a bit more tempo now and then. “Unlikely Hero” is a debut EP that the band can build on.

Mezmik – Flames And Fury: https://youtu.be/BS9toj-AxoQ?si=hmJLRCTvA36t77Er

Lineup:

Jolene Turnbull – Vocals
Christopher Fowler – Guitar, Vocals
Andrew Mackenzie – Guitar
Luke Wilson – Bass
David McGuinness – Drums

Label: Self-release

Out: July 15^th, 2024

Playing time: 30:50

Track list:

• New Dawn (Instrumental)
• Unlikely Hero
• Flames And Fury
• Broken Love
• Hollow
• Heart Once Torn
• Killer