Beast Eagle – Sorceress

With an album and an EP under their belt, Nebraska-based heavy quartet Beast Eagle deliver on all cylinders on their new EP Sorceress.

The band focuses on the very core of rock and heavy music, with a big sound, blistering energy, and nonetheless big melodic hooks.
Hooks in general are all over this release – be it in the form of vocal melodies, riffs, or, more often than not, the interplay between elements such as the above-mentioned and their rhythmic delivery.

Inspired by the likes of Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Skid Row, and at times even Mastodon, the band delivers on most of those bands’ trademarks, but for the most part they do it in their own way.

At the center of it all is very strong songwriting, accompanied by a fired-up performance and very interesting arrangements which, despite noticeable twists and turns, still manage to keep the flow of the songs and the entire EP completely intact. It’s actually rather impressive how well Sorceress flows while at the same time keeping the songs interesting and playful.

Musicianship is tight yet very creative, but always in service of the songs. Kate Lewis’ vocals are furious and ballsy, with a strong sense for melody and a keen rhythmic feel when it comes to getting the most out of the hooks. She covers a broad range within the songs – or even within the same chorus or verse – which adds to the dynamics of the overall experience. There is a rawness of garage rock to her vocals, yet at the same time just as much grungy sensibility, all wrapped in a massive dose of ’80s hard-rock glitter. There is a Sandra Nasić quality to her voice, which is nothing to complain about.

Sonically, that big overall sound is well balanced, making sure that each instrument and the vocals all play their role. Beast Eagle never compromise either catchiness or heaviness, but rather let them walk hand in hand. Production is a noticeable step up from their previous EP and a whole other level compared to their debut album.

There is a primal sense of hunger to Beast Eagle, yet unlike on their debut, they now truly have a grip on the craft of putting music together. The songs’ rawness and energy never drown out other aspects such as delivery, arrangements, and approachability. Sorceress is more approachable, and while its melodic approach and more rounded sound play a role in that, it’s mostly due to a far more professional approach and a stronger grip on songwriting and performance that make it more well put-together.

With the new EP, Beast Eagle have stepped up to the next level in their career, and one can’t help but wish this five-track EP were a full-length album. That in itself is enough reason to keep an eye on this band.

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