You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

All bands have their influences, but when they’re too blatant to ignore it can be problematic. Ancient Geometry, the debut from New Jersey/Pennsylvania quartet Vexes, is certainly guilty of cleaving closely to its Deftonian source material. Opener Helion and Terra both erupt in a coruscating blend of heady atmospherics, low-slung nu metal aggression and sensual yet barbed vocals, making simultaneous nods to Gore and Around The Fur, with some Filter thrown in for good measure. That said, there’s promise here, too. The explosive rap metal of No Color, featuring Islander’s Mikey Carvajal, is perfectly enjoyable in its own right and Plasticine, wading kneedeep in a sumptuous soup of grinding riffs and ambient melodies, deftly balances beauty and brutality. The next time round we need to see Vexes take that skill and carve up a sound that’s all their own.

Danniii Leivers writes for Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Prog, The Guardian, NME, Alternative Press, Rock Sound, The Line Of Best Fit and more. She loves the 90s, and is happy where the sea is bluest.