Depth Perception is the debut full-length album from recent Prosthetic Records signees Creak, a heavy new metallic Hardcore band hailing from Newcastle UK. 

And as far as debuts goes this is certainly a record that demands your attention as it provides a phrenetic djent style of post-hardcore, with a sumptuous bass-heavy mix by producer Connor Sweeney (ex-Loathe). Creak purvey a unique and infectious vibe all of their own, but one that will find certainly find admirers from fans of Blame Kandinsky, The Callous Daoboys, and the like.  

Depth Perception starts as it means to go on as ‘Crossroads’ drops with a cacophony of crunching down-tuned distortion, a raging slice of metalcore ore built around a subterranean bass tone that bleeds into ‘Hare In The Woods,’ providing more of the same and featuring an absolutely wicked groove in its later riff. The rasping vocals of Jack Dunn subtly drop into short Jonathan Davis style bursts at times, and those that enjoy what Creak do when they are at full throttle, will also appreciate the chaotic ferocity displayed in ‘The Early Hours’ and the title track. 

When the storm rages Creak are absolutely on point and convey a sound beyond their years as they mould a tornado-like succession of ridiculously heavy riffs, that all have an immense rolling groove in a djent style that sounds like its recorded with drop-tuned 8-string guitars, and with a distinct sounding influence from the likes of Animals As Leaders, Periphery and Meshuggah. 

But it’s when Creak mix it up a little that this record really comes alive. The synth-drone of ‘An Endless Black’ acts as an intro to ‘Doomed,’ taking their sound into the murkiest of waters on a track that is slow and wonderfully sludgy. 

‘Restless Dreams’ introduces a refreshing blast of clean vocals from Dunn invoking the feel of a vintage Architects, while ‘Harrow’ once again offers respite as it slows down with cleaner vocals in between the heavier screams and juddering riffs. 

Creak experiment further with the melancholic but dreamy ‘Left To Heaven,’ which blends clean guitars and a pondering electro beat. And then with a drum n’ nass influence to the rapid-paced ‘Cold Shoulder,’ before closing in a final moment of unadulterated heaviness on ‘A Head Full Of Rain’. 

Depth Perception is a refreshing and mighty fine record from a band who throw their weight into the mix with some of the finest Metal debuts of the year so far.  

Buy the album here:

https://creakofficial.bandcamp.com/album/depth-perception

8 / 10 

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