The only thing I knew about 5ive before I listened to this EP was that they share their name with a late 90's British boy band. I didn’t really know what style to expect from them, but once I realized that this recording consists of two proper tracks and two Justin Broadrick remixes, I began to suspect that 5ive were worth hearing. To summarize this review, 5ive sound roughly like a combination of Pelican and Broadrick’s current group, Jesu. They also happen to be yet another instrumental group, the second I’ve done a writeup for in as many days. Although it’s hard to get a sense of the band from such a short recording, especially since instrumental albums tend to run long, this certainly strikes me as something worth looking into.

I found the material on this release to be melodious and relaxing, which is my general reaction to instrumental music, even instrumental music with distorted, low tuned guitars, such as this. The playing is tight and the songs are well put together, in any event. My only complaint is that I don’t find much that distinguishes this from the rest of the Neurosis-core Hydrahead-based scene that’s been all the rage lately. I enjoy this album a lot, but I’d be more impressed with it if I heard it in a void, as I’ve already heard the style done better. I wouldn’t be surprised if 5ive have been going for longer than some of the other bands who play the style, and in that case, I retract my criticism. However, as is, the music struck me as somewhat derivative.

5ive’s latest EP is definitely a good quality listen and well worth looking into for fans of the whole Hyrahead sludge/doom/prog sound. However, I wouldn’t recommend them over the better known artists who play the style.