If Maynard James Kingdom fronted Neurosis the end result might be Raum Kingdom.  On their self-titled debut EP, Raum Kingdom set the bar very high as to what’s to come with five songs that are unrelentingly melodic yet intensely brutal.

Forget Isis. Forget Pelican. Raum Kingdom is the evolution you’re looking for. Equal parts Neurosis and Tool (Especially on “This Sullen Hope”), Raum Kingdom incite the kind of slow burn riot fans of that genre (and beyond) have been hoping for.

“Wounds” is a visceral monstrosity of a song opening the floodgates of what’s to come with vocalist Dave Lee’s screeches cutting through Andrew Colohan’s epic riffing and Mark Gilchrist’s thunderous, oceanic drum bashing. “Barren Objects” settles into a softer groove before a wall of noise opens up underneath Lee’s surprisingly soft whimpers while bassist Ronan Connor rumbles below.

This is just three of the five, people! To really experience Raum Kingdom, you need to sit down and really listen from beginning to end. Essential listening in 2014? Definitely.

Raum Kingdom is out now. Get yours here.