Australian punk artist Brendan Grace has officially released his debut EP The Meat under the moniker Necronata. Heavy guitars, MySpace era synth elements, and catchy pop sensibilities perfectly sum up the sound of this 5-track concept EP, with horror-themed lyricism at the forefront. Imagine if Ice Nine Kills’ The Silver Scream had a baby with grandson’s Death Of An Optimist; that should help paint a picture of the quality and content you can expect from The Meat.

“Diabolical”, the opening track on The Meat, balances a bouncy electronic riff with sprinkles of straight up hardcore breakdowns and a chorus that begs you to sing along. Transitioning into “Cirque Du Freak” - an obvious highlight on The Meat - distorted guitars take over, with much stronger roots in the heavy music world. Despite also having one of the catchiest choruses on the EP, the song features a screamed breakdown that puts even the best bands in the scene to shame - a welcomed surprise, to say the least.

Rounding out the EP, we get the trifecta in “Obsessions”, “Panda Eyes”, and “Crimson” - each bringing their own unique flair to the sound established on the previous tracks. “Obsessions” is another dark pop anthem, “Panda Eyes” brings an upbeat 2010’s dance aesthetic, while “Crimson” ends on a somewhat heavier note, all of which capitalizing on a solid foundational song structure.

Overall, The Meat is a mixed bag of sounds that all blend together perfectly to emphasize the darker lyricism throughout. Sudden instrumental changes and surprise screamed sections keep listeners on their toes, leaving the EP without a dull moment. There is something for all members of the heavy music scene to enjoy, whether you’re singing along to an infectious chorus or throwing down to a hardcore-inspired breakdown.

Be sure to check out the official music video for Necronata’s “Diabolical” below, as well as “Cirque Du Freak” on our official playlists now!