Sanguine is a four-piece English alt-metal band that has been on the ascent as of late, building a fierce reputation through countless live shows- including Bloodstock- and releasing the ‘Live-Consume-Drive’ EP earlier this year. They are a fiercely independent, DIY band who site influences as diverse as grunge, Tool, Faith No More, and Killswitch Engage. ‘For Love’ is the first taster from their upcoming full-length debut, due out early next year.

‘For Love’ has a driving, distortion-thick fog of layered guitars reminiscent of Stone Temple Pilots. Sanguine’s strengths are its tight rhythm section and brutal guitars, but vocalist Taryn Kerrey’s unique delivery is undeniably the centerpiece- during the chorus, her instantly recognizable banshee-like vocals are on in full-effect.

‘Anger Song’ continues in a similar vein, with a more straightforward metal edge- it almost reminds me of Pantera, with shredding riffs, violent percussion, and a raging chorus that goes “yeah yeah yeah yeah.”The track shows no mercy- a steamroller of a song tailor-made for mosh pits.

This latest offering is sure to please fans of dirty, in-your-face rock- but with only two tracks, Sanguine leaves us wanting so much more; perhaps a few alternate mixes or exclusive B-sides would make this a stronger release. Despite these minor details, I would highly recommend this to those into more aggressive alt-metal; if this is the shape of things to come for Sanguine, the future looks very bright.