Milk White Throat – Hierarchy EP
Self-Released
Release Date: 18/09/2020
Running Time: 21:51
Review by Tammy Lomax
10/10
I miss Brighton, I miss it a lot. Not just because of the diversity, but because of the people. My circle of friends are the most important and genuine people I have in my life, some of them coming from Brighton.
When I moved there, I felt at home for the first time in my life, it’s very versatile. I struggle blending in up North, where I am now. I wear a metal t-shirt and feel I’m being judged all the time. In Brighton, you can literally be anyone you want to be and there is no judging, well you still get the odd dick, it’s expected anywhere.
I left just over a year ago, but Brighton did enable me to broaden my horizons and expand my music career. After removing the dicks from my life and trying to settle in “Planet North”, Mr Editor and I began chatting! He and Beth have lots of cheek kisses coming their way, he has helped me get out of my rut, mentally, and channel the crap into my writing.
I mention all of this because Alternative/Progressive band Milk White Throat are from Brighton. I have seen them play live on numerous occasions and I bloody love them. I do have a dirty mind at times (All the time dear readers, all the time – Rick), and to be fair how can I not go off on a tangent with a name like this?! “Milk White Throat”, Oh gosh. Yes please! 🤭
The name Milk White Throat is actually taken from a line in the Nick Cave song, ‘Black Hair’.
Starting in 2000 as a Thrash/Death metal band, ‘Milk White Throat’ refuse to be pinned down to a particular genre, mainly because there is so much variety and creativity, individually and collectively as a group…fuck the rules!
During this time, the line-up has slowly reduced in size and by 2016 only three members remained.
They have continued to evolve and have now returned with their self-released EP “Hierarchy.” Whilst still sticking to variety, the three songs that make up “Hierarchy” are their most mature and melodic effort to date, progressing forward from 2018 EP “House Of Fire”.
The songs represent an individual’s fragility from different perspectives. Our minds can certainly be a fragile thing for sure, especially during these times.
As “Hierarchy” is only three tracks long. I am going to go through them one by one, with as much information as I can.
Opener ‘Closed Eyes’. It is written from the perspective of the world within oneself. It can be a struggle to accept who we are and what everything around us is actually about. What is our existence worth to ourselves? The track itself is over 7 minutes long and they jump straight in with the most alluring vocals, they are light as a feather, well balanced and everything is…calm. The music moves me in ways I can’t explain. Their guitar work meets the flow then excels as it progresses, giving us some umph. It’s pretty clear there are some personal experiences behind this music, you can feel it and the passion.
Next up is ‘Sleepless’ and It is written from the perspective of a parent and the continuous battles mentally. Are our children a true reflection of ourselves and are we qualified to raise a child? Fans have made comparisons with Deftones, I understand why. There is more energy in this track, but a continuous graceful flow remains. Vocalist Brian Thomas is slightly fiercer, but you can hear his growls being held back, no room for gruesome growls here guys! ‘Sleepless’ is also the lead single and has a wonderful accompanying video filmed in The Underworld, Camden Town!
Finally, title-track ‘Hierarchy’ is written from the perspective of someone failing to live up to society’s expectations. Are we just a number and statistic in the outside world? How do we use all of this information to better ourselves? This takes you on a journey, all sections are dynamic, and the tempo is fast, but it still flows with the other two tracks.
I am now going to sound like the biggest cheese ball going!
“Hierarchy” is a perfect representation of how we see our lives in general. It covers different points of views, experiences, opinions (*cheese ball incoming*) and my perspective is, LOVE! Love is the perspective! We should inject that good juice daily, seeing potential in the negatives, seeing inspiration in the darkest of moments, seeing beyond all limitations. The sky is not the limit, our minds are!
The work that has been created on this stunning EP is exceptional. It moves you in so many emotional ways. Although it is short it is balanced throughout. I cannot really do it any justice, so please do check it out.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Closed Eyes
02. Sleepless
03. Hierarchy
LINE-UP:
Tom Humphrey – Guitars.
Guillaume Croizon – Drums.
Brian Thomas – Bass and Vocals.
LINKS:
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