With members from Deftones, Cypress Hill and Sikth involved, Sol Invicto is sure to pique some interest, especially if you dive a little further into their backstory. Founded in 2007 by producer and guitarist Richie Londres, Eric Bobo of Cypress Hill and Stephen Carpenter of Deftones, the project initially leaned into lo-fi industrial drum and bass, blending it with Bobo’s Latin-flavoured percussion and Carpenter’s familiar crushing riffs. Yet the band’s sound shifted towards a raw, metal sound leading to the introduction of Sikth drummer Dan Foord. While 2017’s privately released ‘Initium’ consisted of demos and experimental tracks built over time, ‘Loosely Aware’ is considered Sol Invicto‘s first proper release.

Merely a snapshot of a soon-to-be-recorded album, its three tracks serve up a thrilling snapshot of what’s to come. Sean Plague from Norwegian/British noisecore Plague To Pyres rounds out the line-up on vocals, screaming his way through heavy density his bandmates produce. ‘The Obvious Play’ is intense, led by the duel percussion work of Bobo and Foord. While there’s a familiar chugging to Carpenter’s guitarwork, providing the opener with a restless energy. ‘Revelation Of The Method’ maintains it with colourful and bruising drum work, as it battles with Londres’ sharp guitar and Plague’s growls. ‘Lost In Translation’ is as destructive with swirling production conjuring up a bleak, heavy tone. Yet it’s the riveting guitars and percussive assault that come out on top, even when Bobo throws in some Latino flavour in the final minute.

‘Loosley Aware’ rolls through in 14 minutes, providing a thunderous introduction to Sol Invicto. With an impressive list of personnel involved, it’s no surprise that the three tracks here are the sound of a seasoned band. Effortlessly crossing the fine lines of djent, tech metal, and metallic hardcore, there’s depth and finesse to what Sol Invicto are capable of. A short, sharper taster of what’s to come.

‘Loosely Aware’ EP by Sol Invicto is out now.