The opening riffs of Garrow Hill’s current single share more than a “standard” metal based sound. Yes, the chugging guitars have the heaviness and tone of a great metal performance, but they also have the abrasive edge of something industrial based, while the gruff vocal suggests more of a love of hardcore.

With three very different subgenres coming together during the first verse, ‘IX’ is already a track with a lot to offer, but this York based duo’s love of blending styles doesn’t end there. After a couple of verses designed to amp up their audience, they turn this track completely on its head by introducing a lead guitar part that’s pure old school. The twin leads come straight from the world of ‘Powerslave’ era Iron Maiden, and then, in a further twist, a spacious melody and soaring lead guitars bring even more of a trad metal sound, augmented by some great melodic metal riffs and solid drumming, before reintroducing the twin leads to create a fantastic climax to a fantastic instrumental section.

You would certainly consider that more than enough to give a bold track a decent send off, but Garrow Hill aren’t about to bow out so easily. They then introduce a really heavy guitar riff that hints at a love of groove metal and couple that with a death metal vocal, seemingly feeling like elements that belong within an entirely different song. There’s a chance that some listeners who loved the melodic aspects of this track might be unmoved by the heavier front and end pieces, and it’s almost certainly going to bewilder everyone as to why such an epic and bold arrangement would settle for a slow fade rather than offering a definite climax, but then the world of Garrow Hill seems anything but predictable.

The full track can be streamed below. Prepare to raise eyebrows!