The Hirsch Effekt – SOLITAER (EP)
Release Date: 26th August 2022
Label: Long Branch
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Metal, Mathcore, Tech Metal, Artcore.
FFO: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Periphery, Frontierer.
Review By: Ross Bowie
The Hirsch Effekt are back with a 4 track EP, offering up a unique take on writing and producing during a pandemic. The German 3 piece’s new release is called Solitaer, which when translated to English means “Living Individually” – this is a name the band took to heart. For this EP, each member wrote and recorded a song each, described as “social distancing as a song writing concept”. This is an experiment that pays off for the band as the 3 individual songs all have a unique flavour and take on the band’s sound, before all coming together for a new version of their song Gregaer.
The opening track, Palingenesis, wastes no time as you’re immediately pulled in with a catchy riff before the song explodes through the speakers at break-neck pace. This song really stretches the bands melodic muscles and delivers the biggest chorus on the EP, while constantly throwing you through math inspired passages while dissonance rings out in your ears. The band get that balance of intricate riffing and soaring vocals perfect on this track, and sets you up for more angular takes to follow.
Nares immediately has a different feel from track 1, but it’s still distinctly The Hirsch Effekt. This track takes you to the heavier end of their sound with a riff that will beat you over the head and a guitar solo that will melt your face. The vocals go harsher to back up the guitars before everything falls out for a beautiful yet haunting clean riff. The clean vocals on this track are utilised expertly as they add atmosphere to the clean passages, before seeing out the droning outro.
The final solo track is called Amorphus and this is the band at their most experimental. With an opening riff that Midwest emo bands would be proud of, before turning it into a dissonant ripper. This track balances the heavier side of the band and the clear math rock/jazz flavourings that have been running in the background. The clean passages show excellent craftsmanship as they build up to the final crescendo allowing the band to really stretch their wings.
The EP is seen out by the band re-recording an orchestral song from their 2021 collaboration album with Anthony Williams. This song feels like a celebration of the band coming together. The band have been making a name for themselves on the road this summer with notable appearances at both UK Tech-Fest and Arctangent, this is only the beginning of The Hirsch Effekt becoming a staple in this scene. 
(4 / 5)
