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Surviving the fire and brimstone that 2022 continuously dropped on us, it is hardly surprising that this year starts in a familiar way with an absolute blast without even having a breather. We are going right back to Parisian newcomers ten56. who ended as my personal "Breakthrough of 2021" for their debut EP Downer Part 1, and have just delivered the second installment of their smug industrialised blend of all things heavy, raging and extreme, for what seems like the ignition 2023 needs to kick off.
Led by core legionary Aaron Matts (ex-Betraying The Martyrs), backed by independent German bastion Out Of Line Music, and riding the internet hype train, ten56. have become an overnight sensation, rapidly progressing from "promising side project" to "contemporary scene powerhouse" in just one year. Their ingenious mix of pit-starting, neck-breaking and soul-squeezing ragers is not to be missed, but the hugely anticipated Downer Part 2 EP takes it to the next level, refreshing the formula without compromising integrity, and expanding their brutality outside of the confinements of typical extreme labels.
If you somehow missed ten56. on their rampage across the modern heavy scene, think Darko US and Left To Suffer, for a lack of better examples. Saying this, it is somewhat fitting that right at the turn of last year, Darko US dropped their Deathmask, Pt. 2 EP, an uncanny coincidence that not only paved the way to Downer Part 2, but revealed another similarity that is key for both bands' success outside of their sound - they both work their asses off and appear as determined as ever to leave their mark in spectacular fashion.
The second part of the Downer EP series was only a matter of time and we've had the exemplary banger Yenta on repeat for large part of 2022, later joined by 'Traumadoll' that pretty much start where the likes of 'Diezepam', 'Boy' and 'Kimo' left off in 2021. The surprise here, however, is 'RLS' that is simultaneously the odd one out, and the one that holds the whole EP together with its trappy bouncy swagger, displaying a level of originality and confidence almost unparalleled across the heavy scene right now.
The second part of the EP kicks is where the new ragers hide, kicking you right in the face with the relentlessly groovey 'Saiko' and breakdown-fuelled 'Masque' with just one cinematic interlude 'Intruder' to set them apart. Perfectly balanced, well-structured and concise, Downer Part 2 delivers the sweaty and almost psychotic 'Ender' as the only fitting way to wrap this brilliatn 20-minute exhibition of rage, frustration and disgust.
It is very early to make big claims about 2023, but as far as EPs go, it would take an absolute masterpiece to kick Downer Part 2 out of this years' final Top 5. The Frenchmen surely have some more work to do to really cement their reputation, but combine their two EPs and you are left with a faultless debut that more than justifies the hype and sets the stage for a very interesting future.
ten56. - Downer, Part 2
Country: France
Released: 13 January 2023
Label: Out Of Line Music
Tracklisting:
1. 'Yenta'
2. 'Traumadoll'
3. 'RLS'
4. 'Saiko'
5. 'Intruder'
6. 'Masque'
7. 'Ender'
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