“It’s excessive, there’s more than seven ways to sin.”
Australian prog-core unit Reliqa have been making waves in the metal space for a few years now. Their 2022 EP, I Don’t Know What I Am, initially caught my attention through its keen blend of swaggering prog metal instrumentation and unique melodic textures, bookended by its ferocious metalcore riffing and pummeled breakdowns. What maintained my attention, however, was the juxtapositional style in which vocalist Monique Pym brought to the band’s soundscape. Pym’s vocals, ranging from subdued melodicism to aggressive rapping and almost theatrical grandiosity, provide a truly unique delivery when compared to her contemporaries in the genre, and while her atypical style may prove difficult for some seasoned fans of the style to get into, it’s one of the chief reasons I found Reliqa so alluring.
From the jump, too, Secrets of the Future, the band’s first release via Nuclear Blast, grabbed me for the very same reason – except the ante is upped here on each conceivable level. It’s immediately apparent that Reliqa are not interested in pulling their punches, as even from opening number “Dying Light”, their full spectrum of sound is on display. A planet-sized, acutely theatrical chorus; angular riffs and chugging alike; and a varied vocal delivery from Pym that showcases all of her strengths in one tight package. It’s stylistically similar to what was seen on I Don’t Know What I Am, to be sure, but it feels as though the boat has been pushed out a tad more here, with everything feeling slightly more polished, and slightly more confident.
This notion is carried through to following tracks “Cave” and “Killstar (The Cold World)” – the latter of which served as the record’s second single. It’s an obvious choice, too, as “Killstar” features some of the most ballistic and enthralling instrumental work Reliqa have penned to date, as well a wholly alluring performance from Pym, proving one of my favourite of hers yet. The guitar work in particular here proves a highlight, too, as each tight riff and blistering shred kept me firmly on the hook. Mid-album cut “The Flower” taps into a similar energy, whilst honing in some more overtly tech-metal guitar and drum work, whilst harbouring yet another barn-burner chorus. The track’s stank-face-inducing breakdown, coming wholly out of left field, also proves worthy of note, and its percussive, open-note, eight-string pounding left me involuntarily bobbing my head along and recoiling.
While things slow down for a tad with the more relatively subdued and melodic cut, yet still equally excellent “Sariah”, reminiscent in part of a Fortress-era Alter Bridge deep cut, following track, and lead single, “Terminal”, ramps the energy right back up. Harnessing an almost J-rock style energy and pace, with dancy rhythms and bombastic synths to boot, “Terminal,” while certainly not placing in my upper echelon of tracks across Secrets of the Future, undeniably offers up a unique angle on Reliqa’s broad-reaching sound.
Low-tuned groovers “Keep Yourself Awake” and “Physical” continue to usher in new textures, with some tasteful slap bass and djenty riffing thrown into the mix make for a welcome change of pace. Perhaps standing as one of the record’s most outwardly heavy moments, the breakdown on “Keep Yourself Awake” helped further cement the track as one of the most electrifying standouts across Secrets of the Future. “Physical” further offers a taste of the frenetic instrumentation seen earlier on “Killstar”, with a breakneck pace and some truly mind-boggling staccato riffing.
Late-album cut “Two Steps Apart” sees Reliqa branch out further, tapping into an almost shoegaze-inspired soundscape at times, with a perhaps a tad less drenching verb. Even still, warmer feel that this track offers will surely resonate greatly with those who look upon that sound, for all its current trendiness, fondly. Another brand new texture is introduced immediately after, as penultimate track “A Spark” slows the pace with a floaty, sparse compositional dynamic that feels like a well-earned moment of reprieve. That all changes, of course, as the track switches gears in its second half, as Reliqa channel their inner Sleep Token, as they usher in a groove-laden bed for Pym to slowly build upon, before the track’s chorus returns in explosive fashion, with the band going full force leading up to its primal breakdown.
Final track “Upside Down” seeks to close out the show in aptly theatrical fashion, leaning into the band’s utmost strengths for a truly epic conclusion. Tight percussion and gorgeous vocal melodies drive the track’s pace until its gorgeous chorus explodes into view, followed by some fantastic riff work. The track’s ebb and flow is masterful, and the overwhelming grandiosity on display in the track’s biggest moments truly sells the notion that this is a closer, if ever there was one, ending Secrets of the Future in style, with its best foot firmly set forward.
Overall, Secrets of the Future is an undeniable step up; a full-send, if you will, for the Aussie prog unit. Reliqa’s utmost strengths are on full display here, and while the spectrum of sound they present may not always land with everyone, even as far as not always landing with myself, I firmly believe any seasoned prog or core fan will find something to adore somewhere along the line here. With some of best guitar work I’ve heard all year, and some truly unique vocal work, Secrets of the Future is a must-listen, and a testament that this band will surely go on to do great things.
8/10
Secrets of the Future is due for release this Friday, May 31st, via Nuclear Blast, and you can find pre-orders for the record here.