The Devil Wears Prada's first concept EP, 'Zombie' focused on the living dead apocalypse. This time as the Earth is devoured below, they have turned their attentions to the final frontier. Mankind has always had a fascination with what lies beyond the stars and TDWP has now followed many creatives before them and used space as the inspiration for their new 6 track EP.
Vocalist Mike Hranica has said, "we wanted each song to have its own identity separate from the others, to have its own sound but still have them all united in concept. " To this end Space has achieved its goal. But rather than painting a picture of wonder and the glories of exploration, TDWP has chosen to embrace the dark dangers and unknown aspects of our galaxy.
Opening with a routine pre flight check, Planet A is a bleak tale reminiscent of many a sci fi film. Our heroine Elizabeth finds herself as the soul survivor of a space craft disaster and ends up alone on Planet A. From the outset we know something is very wrong. Hranica's vocals blast through the track like the space crafts engines misfiring and turbulently losing control. Jonathan Gering's spearing use of keys keep the sense of impending doom painfully dotted throughout out the track.
No doubt Planet A's survivor was influenced by Ellen Ripley from the Alien series as is the next track. In Alien when we hear of a 10ft tall phantom that hisses acidic saliva, the dread sets in immediately. The track is so heavy that you feel you are no longer a bystander in events, but a participant in the terror, as your pulse quickens with the anxiety that flows from every jarring chord and desperate vocal. In the final moments the music slows and the fatal words "game over" are screamed over the failing backing and the track comes abruptly to an end, much like our hero no doubt. Moongodtakes on a different feel choosing to become philosophical and incorporating pseudo religious elements, but what else would you expect from the thoughtful Christian metalcore band. Celestial Mechanics is an all too short instrumental, an interval, which sets the atmosphere of floating in zero gravity and being carried across the abyss towards the Supernovaof the next track. The chorus cries out "where will you go? Where will you be? When you forever sleep, when you leave me." It's an energetic theological discussion about life after death and the heavens or the Galactic Sea as they are renamed here. At this point you've probably gathered that space is a pretty scary place and you're better off staying at home. But you'd be wrong. TDWP have made sure that once again Earth is screwed. Astroidsets up an ultimate doomsday scenario which unfolds when a giant bit of space rock is on a collision with Earth. Lyrically the song is sentimental, inviting the listener to think of family and loved ones. Musically the band successfully create a sense of the imposing Armageddon as we sit helplessly listening to the annihilation of our planet. With all the dangers that lurk on our planet and beyond, TDWP have painted a very depressing view of space voyage. Perhaps there are some corners of the universe better off not exploring? Nah who are we kidding. In space no one can hear you scream, but any life out there will certainly hear TDWP a million light years away!