Naarm/Melbourne’s The Last Martyr have just dropped EP Requiem, packed with soaring, soul-stirring metal. Mixed by Chris Lalic (Windwaker, Days Like These), it’s an explosive collection, an apocalyptic exploration of what happens when we disrespect and disregard Mother Nature. Frontwoman Monica Strut explains:
“The Requiem EP is about the human species’ journey towards, throughout and after the apocalypse. It touches on themes of denial, destruction, control, fear, love and more. Each song stands alone with its own story but is brought together by this overarching theme.”
Opener ‘Xenox’ might only be a minute and a half long, but it lifts much heavier than it’s short run-time suggests. Nu-metal influences, heavy riffs, and a few powerful screams set the tone for Requiem almost immediately, before the lyrically heartfelt ‘Antidote’ showcases Strut’s cleaner vocals. ‘Requiem”s “Call it what you want, call it want you need” cries out for a live audience to scream it back, while there’s something deliciously Dune-but-make-it-metalcore about ‘The Nihilist’. ‘Critical Mass’, described by Strut as the crossroads before the end of the world, leads us into ‘Burn It Down’, which does exactly what it says on the tin. It feels like a song destined for TikTok edits of Eric Draven, and I mean that in the best way possible. Every song has its little lyrical hook, a line or five that feels like the twist of the knife, but ‘Venus Retrograde’ is full of them, a desperate rail against separation and loneliness. Well, no one said an EP had to have a happy ending.
The Last Martyr’s vision is clear throughout, each song doing just as Strut promises and telling its own story, all while remaining part of one cohesive whole. Saying there’s no real standout doesn’t really sound like a compliment, but it’s absolutely meant as such. There’s strengths to every single one of the seven tracks that make up Requiem, and at least one moment in each that had me cycling back through the song to listen to those few seconds again. The breakdowns are heavy, the choruses are catchy, and the guest vocalists (Alt.‘s Daniel Cullens features on title track ‘Requiem’; Rivilin on ‘The Nihilist’) add plenty, without taking away from what makes The Last Martyr, well, The Last Martyr.
The end result is a rich slice of exciting Aussie metal, anthemic and authentic in equal measure. Led by Strut’s versatile vocals and bolstered by some beautiful turns of phrase, Requiem hits hard and fast, a no-skips EP that demands a replay from the moment closer “Venus Retrograde” reaches its final notes.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Requiem by The Last Martyr is out everywhere today. Find it on your preferred streaming platform HERE, or grab a vinyl/merch package HERE.
The Last Martyr will play two live shows in support of the release:
- Friday 8th November – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne
- Friday 15th November – Burdekin Hotel, Eora/Sydney
Support from Aurateque. Tickets and more info HERE.
You can also catch them supporting Future Static on their tour next year. All the info you’ll need is right HERE.
Head to The Last Martyr’s website HERE to find out more and for links to their socials.
Header image credit: Andrew Vaughn
