Sixth Wonder - Prologue

Kayleigh
Jul 24
3 min read

EP Name: Prologue Artist: Sixth Wonder Released: 2nd July Rating: 9.5/10

Tracklist

Thorn
Ropeburn
Guts
Feed The Hand
Death Departed

Rising alt-metallers Sixth Wonder released their intense debut EP 'Prologue' earlier this month alongside previously unheard single 'Death Departed'. Quickly becoming one of the most exciting new metal acts in the UK, Sixth Wonder keep getting bigger and better with each track they put out. The quartet's music has earned them airplay on BBC Radio 1 and in 2023 the Glasgow band claimed Best Metal at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMAs). Having already received great support for 'Prologue', as well as playing live dates with Archives and Newshapes, it's looking like 2025 could be Sixth Wonders year.

"'Prologue' from start to finish, brings you on the journey we have found ourselves on in the past couple of years as a solid unit of four. Each song continues the story we are telling, discovering the darkness, and building into the light. We wanted to make this concept EP to speak about our experiences in the industry, and close a chapter in our path. 'Prologue' is just the beginning of Sixth Wonder; and we have so much more to give." - (Sixth Wonder)

'Prologue' really would be best described as a musical journey, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next but with each one telling it's own part of the story and fiercely conveying it's own emotions. It's a journey through betrayal, self-doubt and liberation. With each of the four main tracks taking on one of the main themes, which include, realisation, contemplation, antagonism and escapism, this is an EP that has to be experienced from the first note to the last. Gently welcoming listeners into their story is the first single to come from the EP 'Thorn'. The dark atmospheric track is about fighting a losing battle and the emotions that accompany that. You can feel the anger begin to bubble to the surface in this one but is still slightly tucked away behind the soft melody of the chorus. I remember reviewing this one when it came out as a single and I pointed out that the piano that ends the track felt like it was leading us to something more. That something more would end up being 'Ropeburn'. Second single and one of my favourite Sixth Wonder tracks ever is 'Ropeburn'. Taking on an eerie yet intense personality that one explodes letting go of whatever felt like it was being held back in 'Thorn'. A little more chaotic and twisted there's a slight danger in the way it whips from fast harshness to soft yet intense melodies and back again. Like something unstable that's waiting to break and cause destruction at every turn. Yet the heaviness given to us, especially towards the end of 'Ropeburn' is only a little taste of what's to come next. It's hard to pick between 'Ropeburn' and next track 'Guts' as a favourite but after a few listens I have to say 'Guts' takes it. Easily the most intense on the EP the growling ferocity is like a caged animal that's away to break free and take down everything in it's path. The track stands as a middle finger to ego and false superiority, and you can hear the disgust in the lyrics that are spit over the chugging guitars. This one is as vicious as it is addictive and I can't get enough of it. Nearing the end of 'Prologue' we're given a little reprieve from all of the rage that has built up to 'Guts'. The interlude titled 'Feed The Hand' offers a different kind of intensity, the unsettling vocal melody over sounds that belong in the background of a horror film gives us an unusual feeling of clarity. It's a powerful moment amongst all the chaos not a step away, but something uneasy and contemplative.

"'Death Departed' is our goodbye to everything we've outgrown" - (Sixth Wonder)

Before long the unfamiliar hum of 'Death Departed' enters, then rapidly the crashing guitars and drums make an appearance met with the unmistakable vocal. This vulnerable single sees this story find freedom and release from the bad situation that held it before. A venomous goodbye to who Sixth Wonder once were. 'Death Departed' has quickly become a fan favourite since it's release and it's easy to see why with the captivating melodies and what is probably the biggest chorus to ever come from this band. There own unique genre blending sees the track take elements of everything that came before to make a finale that just makes you want to listen to the whole EP again.

Listen to 'Prologue' HERE