EP Review : Shaven Primates ”Kill The Algorithm”

EP Review : Shaven Primates ”Kill The Algorithm”

There is a certain feeling of nostalgia when a band manages to bring back the raw energy of hard rock and punk while giving it a modern identity. You might ask if Lelahel Metal has suddenly changed direction, but not at all! It just happens that I have been receiving quite a few releases in this territory lately, and perhaps this style is making a comeback. Who knows? In any case, Kill The Algorithm by Oxford four-piece Shaven Primates is a very welcome reminder of a great era.

Released in July 2026, this four-track EP explores anxiety and control through a gritty combination of hard rock, punk, art rock, and alternative influences. The band describe their sound through grinding basslines, wailing guitars, synth textures, powerful drums, and vocals capable of moving from a croon to a scream.

The EP opens with “Saviour,” a heavy and imposing track built around a weighty riff, tightly locked bass and drums, and an atmosphere that immediately grabs attention. After nearly a minute, the vocals enter, and they become one of the song’s strongest features. The singer has a grunge-inflected delivery that brings to mind the contrasting qualities of Layne Staley and Billy Corgan, yet still sounds natural within Shaven Primates’ own identity. The track eventually shifts toward a shoegaze-like atmosphere, with soaring vocals and wonderfully hypnotic arpeggios.

“Pioneer Way” takes a more progressive direction, driven by a sharply articulated, stop-start riff. When the chorus arrives, the arrangement opens up and the singer demonstrates an impressive command of the higher register. The song also carries the anxious punk spirit described by the band, drawing inspiration from the rage of late-70s punk.

“Feed” changes the formula again, relying on continuous arpeggios and a rougher, more aggressive vocal performance. Its theme of exploiting the insecurities of young men adds another layer of intensity to the music.

Everything concludes with the title track, “Kill The Algorithm,” an atmospheric and captivating finale inspired by Radiohead, David Bowie, and Joy Division.

Kill The Algorithm is an excellent introduction to Shaven Primates: dark, energetic, unpredictable, and refreshingly unafraid of crossing genre boundaries. Personally, I really like it.

SHAVEN PRIMATES - KILL THE ALGORITHM - PROG PUNK ROCK BAND

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