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Band: Mils
Album title: We Fight/We Love [EP]
Release date: 17 May 2017
Label: Self-Released
Tracklist:
01. Come Home
02. No Body (feat. Duja)
03. Escape
04. Strange Night
05. Casus Belli
Not so many bands that are active today have such power and such talent to create music that almost transcends borders of many genres, neither it's difficult to find such a powerful sound that has the tendency to remain stuck in your head for a very long time like it's in the case of French combo Mils. With their new EP that bears a meaningful title We Fight/We Love, Mils prove once again; after their debut album, Man Is A Lonely Soldier, released in 2013 (I reviewed it HERE); how to blend with dexterity different genres and how to make something that is very close to perfection. So it's nothing strange that they spent almost four years in creating and composing these five songs that could be by someone carelessly described just as electronic rock.
Soon after the release of the debut album the band went through some line-up changes, the most notable is the arrival of the new singer Mélodie who is in my opinion one of the best female vocalists I had a chance to listen lately. With her unmistakably powerful, dynamic, emotional and quite specific voice she adds the necessary cherry on the cake for Mils. The only remaining members who were present on the debut album are the drummer Ben and guitarist Tristan, while beside Mélodie who replaced Isa, the new members are second guitarist Cerise and keyboardist Jack.
Mils already stunned us all with the first single out of this EP, "Come Home", which came out in 2015 and those who follow this webmagazine should already have learned it by heart. Since then I was waiting so eagerly for the rest and now it's here. I'm a bit dissapointed as it's just an EP and it lasts only 20 minutes, because once you'll get addicted by their music you'll need your daily dose of it, believe me. Superficially Mils can be counted as an electro rock band, but if we dig just a bit deeper there are many different elements waiting to be discovered, from many different electronic sounds, alternative rock, post rock, gothic metal, trip hop, industrial rock, new wave, synthpop, punk and yet much more, and how magnificently these guys and girls throw everything in one pot and are able to create so very energetic, coherent, highly dynamic, very modern and well flowing soundscapes.
After the mesmerizing before mentioned opener "Come Home" which so perfectly builds up in tension and explodes in its full glory with amazing ending, the band throws into the palette a nice gothic/electro/post/metal piece "No Body" featuring guest male vocalist Duja from Swiss electro rockers MXD. Amazing melodies, driving guitars, nice solos, perfect drumming, throughout rich and very dense sound with plenty of well inserted electronic samples, groovy rhythmic line and some tiny cyber industrial beats is what makes the songs in here so very captivating. There are also present addictive strong rather popy rhythms and sometimes everything boils up with punkish energy like in the fantastic groover "Escape". In here Mélodie just shines, sometimes her voice might be a bit similar to a kind of aggressive version of Bonnie Tyler, but I find it even more versatile and dynamic.
There's often present kind of a dark vibe and haunting emotive atmosphere, especially in the last two a bit more slow paced tracks, "Strange Night" and "Casus Belli". Not only from the musical side, also the whole lyrical concept that is about the intrinsic struggle of the human being facing life, adversity and the world around him, it takes its inspiration in the confrontation of man with his own emotions and with others. As well the perfect production done by Thomas "Drop" Betrisey, best know as bassist in Samael, MXD and Sybreed, is just perfect, it has power, depth and density. Mils have some kind of magic in their sound, often you won't know if you should be headbanging when they strike with heavy hitting parts or dancing around when they're flirting with 80s vibes. Nevertheless, Mils made a stunning return with this EP, it's an absolute must and believe me that you're missing a lot if you won't discover this so very intriguing band.
Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 9/10
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