International band Ancient Settlers have honed an energetic and intense technical melodic death metal sound combining clean and guttural vocals with plenty of guitar solos and synths, which they describe as “emotional, aggressive and melodic.”
Ancient Settlers is a self-confessed group of “five metalhead musicians enjoying the chance to share the way that we live and feel the music that we create, exposing our ideas about our society.” The group met each other over 15 years ago playing in different bands and sharing stages, which helped them to build the current project.
And on the sound they’ve honed since, guitarist Carlos Chiesa-Estomba told us: “I think it can be described as a sort of Melodic Death Metal with a twist. We’re trying to include some modern elements, not just using synth or keyboards, also trying to modify the traditional structures and rhythms commonly used in the style and the way that we use the guitar solos etc…”
But they recently brought a new element as Carlos, Herman Riera (drums) and Miguel Herrera (bass) were joined by new members Argen (vocals) and Agustin Martínez (guitar). On the change in members, Carlos told us: “They bring something more than energy to the band, they also provide their experience and knowledge in different ways. Argen has tons of ideas for social media and photography and Agustin is an audio engineer and provides a lot of solutions and new ideas in this aspect.
“Regarding the evolution, you will feel for sure, Argen includes a different set of voices in our music, not just guttural voices but also clean voices and different melodies. Then with Agus, we also expand our creativity in the composition and production process.”
Our first taste of this new approach will be new their EP Transition, which is released on 2 May. The new EP sees the band launch their most powerful yet diverse set of songs so far. They’ve already released two of the four tracks from the EP, starting with Mihi Nomen Est Ira (My Name Is Anger in Latin).
The track opens up with a crash and synth sounds then descends into wild vocals, gothic synths and a cool riff. The guitars and drums intensify as heavy vocals continue then a little solo feeds into a captivating chorus featuring clean vocals backed by gutturals.
A cool stabbing riff supports heavy vocals before dropping into a moody section that gradually builds into a return of the powerful guitars, synths and vocals. And it goes even heavier with vicious vocals and chunky guitars, which feed into another chorus. It closes out with a darting riff and heavy vocals, before a cool little solo and huge drums. Check it out in the video here:
That was followed by the excellent A New World Order, which opens up with a twinkling synth lick before exploding into a cool riff and dramatic synths. The funky little synth riff bridges into an opening verse led by vicious vocals, which feeds into a powerful chorus featuring dual vocals. A bouncy riff takes over, then the synth riff feeds into another heavy verse and engaging but intense chorus.
A cool section sees a guitar riff supported by funky electronic noises answered by a mini solo, before feeding into a final blast of the chorus. Check out this powerful track here:
On the upcoming EP, Carlos told us: “We are very excited about this because we think it is an evolution in the sound of the band. And on this occasion, we are back with a more aggressive proposal. Also a different perspective on our music, a more diverse approach with the voices, and a new dynamic on each song. These are the reason why we think people will enjoy the new EP.”
The Ancient Settlers sound is shaped by a range of intriguing metal influences. Herman, Miguel and Carlos have a similar background listening to bands like Soilwork, Dark Tranquility, Belakor, Scar symmetry, Allegaeon and Opeth. Argen has a more extreme musical background, includingold school death-metal bands like Cannibal Corpse, Nile and Hate Eternal, and the early black metal scene. While Agustin has a more classical background but listens to hard rock and heavy metal, while they all enjoy styles like Djent and Deathcore.
And on what inspires them to write music, Carlos says: “Maybe the philosophy of the band is related o the way that we see the world, and the current problems that affect our society. Inequality, gender discrimination, poverty, depression, modern slavery, etc…”
Transition will be released on 2 May. In addition to the new EP, Ancient Settlers are working on an acoustic EP, three videos, and are scheduling a European tour that’ll take in Spain, Portugal, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Italy this year, which starts at Sala Upload in Barcelona on 3 May.
You can follow Ancient Settlers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music and YouTube.
Listen to Ancient Settlers on our Spotify playlists GigRadar Core and GigRadar Metal
GigRadar 