Sydney's genre-blenders Reliqa defy the mainstream with epic, pummelling EP, 'I Don't Know What I Am'
Sydney genre-blending, mainstream-defying heavy act, Reliqa have truly harnessed their very own sonic identity in the heavy music landscape with their new, third EP, ‘I Don’t Know What I Am’, which is out now.
Buckle yourself in, for as soon as you press play on this EP, it’s one hell of a trip. Completely schizophrenic (and un-expecting for the uninitiated), with each track driving in one direction, and every time it will flip on its head, twist, contort and distort, yet always arriving at its predetermined destination.
Frontwoman Monique Pym manages to channel her inner Mike Patton, being a rare gem that can shift easily between operatic takes, demon-paced rapping, and just general bad-ass heavy alt vocal cuts. Reliqa, musically, present a complex package and bluntly refuse to be pigeon-holed. ‘I Don’t Know What I Am’ , from the EP closer “The Ritualist”s dirty djent (at times pummelling) groove, to the hooky light and shade of single “Safety” (featuring Make Them Suffer’s Sean Harmanis), the slightly mystical breakout single, “The Bearer of Bad News”, and the absolute mindfuck of the title track, Reliqa set the bar high for anyone daring to follow in their stead. If you’ve been craving a release that defies the mainstream, and challenges (and at the same time scratches) that heavy alt/prog itch at the back of your skull, Reliqa have presented the goods in spades.
The band relentlessly prove that they’re ‘ones to watch’ over the space of six tracks, a tag that has been following them of late, particularly with performances at the recently-wrapped Monolith Festival, with Reliqa easily sitting among the ranks with Karnivool, Cog, Ocean Grove, and Plini.
Having boasted dark grooves, layered soundscapes, electronic flourishes, razor-sharp guitars, and of course, Monique Pym’s almighty vocal delivery, the EP may have initially stemmed from the group themselves, and the broader music industry being unable to categorise their unique and immersive styling, but ultimately, it’s the group’s bold sense of self and growth that radically sets Reliqa apart from your standard heavy act, complete with some distinct Aussie flair and dazzling musicianship across the board.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Blancato, I Don't Know What I Am has already been witnessed live in action with the band performing some of their brand new material onstage for the very first time at Monolith Festival in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Reliqa have also previously shared stages with Sevendust, Thy Art Is Murder, Caligula's Horse and Thornhill, and will also appear alongside Northlane and Windwaker in Sydney this November for Crow Bar's 10 year anniversary.
With multiple tracks commanding over 1 million individual streams on Spotify, including Doomed, Mr. Magic and The Halfway Point, I Don't Know What I Am certainly isn't Reliqa's first musical endeavour. But, fittingly emerging from times heaped with uncertainty, this brand new EP is Reliqa at their most assured and bold to date. Come and discover exactly what Reliqa are all about.
And if the new EP isn't enough good Reliqa news for this week, fans can also get their hands on limited vinyl pressings of I Don't Know What I Am, with Reliqa teaming up with Anti Vinyl Vinyl Club for the special pressings. Pre-orders are live now from antivinylvinyl.club.
‘I Don’t Know What I Am’ is available now on all streaming platforms.
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