This post was originally published on this site
Fresh off an explosive tour supporting POPPY across the United States, HOUSE OF PROTECTION are back with their second EP Outrun You All, out on May 23rd. The duo, made up of Aric Improta on drums and Stephen “Stevie” Harrison on guitar, linked up with ex-BRING ME THE HORIZON‘s Jordan Fish to produce the body of work, following their debut EP Galore released last September. HOUSE OF PROTECTION have always had a DIY feel, and since the announcement of the project following Improta‘s and Harrison‘s sudden departure from FEVER 333, it’s clear the grind hasn’t stopped.
With Galore, the band were fighting to push aside expectations from their previous sound and dropping ad-hoc singles as they went along, however Outrun You All sounds vastly more cohesive, and really does push aside previous sonic expectations from the band. Up until this point, one would characterise HOUSE OF PROTECTION‘s’ sound as a melting pot of rock, rap, hip hop and Atlanta punk – if you’ve ever been to one of their shows, you’ll know the energy bounces off the walls and sweat drips from the ceiling.
However when launching into this EP you are instantly taken aback, expecting another jump-up, shouty, crash-bang anthem to blare out at you but instead hearing the sweet sycophantic serenade of 524å§ł€€-°. Curiosity peaks as the EP moves into Afterlife, darker and grittier but still with Stevie’s rap vocals overlaying. Fish‘s production influence is clear here – the track is slower, more melodic and of course moves into his signature heavy breakdown. Aric‘s vocals stand out, adding a hint of metalcore into the ever growing melting pot of HOUSE OF PROTECTION‘s sound. Afterlife sets the tone for the rest of the EP – the pair have found their footing in this ‘new’ sound and dug their heels firmly in, just not in the space any of us were expecting them to.
Godspeed highlights the elevated sound HOUSE OF PROTECTION have found developing this EP – their high base energy is still there but the final product is vastly more polished and produced, maybe to the distaste of some who were excited for the organic and not overly layered sound they started with. Don’t let that dismay you though, the song is still a heavy headbanger and, as always, perfectly orchestrated to start a mosh pit to. I Need More Than This once again adds a new genre into the melting pot, an almost COLDPLAY-esque alt rock influence with soft haunting choral vocals against Aric‘s gentler drumming, leading into a chorus which could very easily be played at indie sleaze era house party.
Fire is the odd one out on this EP, a formerly released single that belongs with the first sonic phase of HOUSE OF PROTECTION, as it were. It maintains that screw-you-we’ll-make-it-up-as-we-go-along defiant energy, with the vocal balance leaning overwhelmingly to Stevie; Outrun You All has clearly helped Improta and Harrison find the balance between their voices. The explosive energy dies straight away as the listener moves onto Phasing Out, and back to the softer dance-influenced melodic sound that HOUSE OF PROTECTION have explored with this record.
Whilst this song could easily be blasted from the rooftop of a warehouse at night in the pouring rain, it is difficult to see how this would fit in their setlist given the extremely heavy production. Finally, the EP moves to close with arguably the best blend of their ‘new’ and ‘old’ sound with Slide Away – headbangable, moshable, with this new metalcore influence but overlayed with the punchy spoken word and raw screaming which HOUSE OF PROTECTION are known for, and the standout song of this EP.
Outrun You All has certainly subverted all expectations and done the unthinkable in broadening the genres in which HOUSE OF PROTECTION have dipped their toes into. It will be interesting to see what happens with their next record, especially potentially without the influence of producer Jordan Fish who has undeniably heavily influenced their direction with this EP. Catch the duo at Download Festival 2025, playing an intimate show in Brighton in June or supporting ARCHITECTS on their massive UK/EU tour this autumn – you’ll regret it if you don’t.
Rating: 8/10
Outrun You All is set for release on May 23rd via Red Bull Records.
Like HOUSE OF PROTECTION on Facebook.
The post EP REVIEW: Outrun You All – House Of Protection appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
