We Are Carnivores are an alternative math-rock band based in Nottingham and Hull. According to their Facebook bio, the band’s sound consists of “jumbling angular riffs with questionable time signatures” along with a fascination for reduced-to-clear supermarket shelves. Influenced by Don Broco and Lower Than Atlantis, they played on the main stage at Tech Fest 2016, and released their new EP, ‘Theodore’s a Don, Bro’ last week.
The title track, which opens proceedings, has some interesting guitar riffs in complex time signatures, but Harry Christopher comes across as a cheap imitation of Don Broco’s Rob Damiani. The mix is weak because although the guitars are a dominant part of the sound, they are too high, making the vocals are really hard to make out.
‘Scottish Power’ could be about frustration with not paying an electric bill and being placed on hold in a queue of calls. This results in the bailiffs coming to the protagonist’s door. The lyrics referencing Hull’s area code are funny when giving the number out “01482 I’ll piss in your face”. It’s a fun track, showcasing that not everything has to be taken seriously.
‘You Can’t Argue With Sharks’ has a summery feel, the heavy, upbeat guitars and odd time signatures bringing something fresh to the table. Although despite this, the vocals could have been boosted because it would have made a bigger impact.
Although Theodore’s a Don, Bro is an inconstant EP where the mixing leaves a lot to be desired, the technical guitars will appeal to fans of both math rock and Don Broco.
Words by Ermis Madikopoulos