EP Review: Lepers & Crooks ‘The Heathen Circus’

Since their inception in 2012, Sydney rockers Lepers & Crooks have garnered a devoted fan base, largely thanks to their electrifying live shows. The release of their debut EP ‘The Heathen Circus’ is set to satisfy fans new and old. The EP sees the band explore their myriad of influences in a distinctly unique way while still paying homage to their origins. Drawing from a diverse range of rock influences, from Santana to Wolfmother to Guns ‘n Roses and many more, ‘The Heathen Circus’ is an Australian take on the classic hard rock sound with a modern twist.

‘The Heathen Circus’ is an EP of contrasts; quiet and loud, melodic and quiet to ballsy and loud. It’s exactly this combination of contrasts that make the EP work so well, creating an elusive ebb and flow within and between songs. Walls of distorted guitar slipping into delicate and quiet sections and aggressive drumming transitioning into quiet fills creates build-up and downfall as each track, and the EP as a whole, progresses.

The EP’s listenability is mostly due to the band’s ability to create a touchstone riff that forms the basis of all of their songs. This propensity is a gift, and one that Lepers & Crooks use well as evidenced by second track Let You Go. The groove-laden main riff rears its head in various forms throughout the track, changing and morphing through progression, its evolution adding a constant barrage of flavour to the EP. The other tracks on the EP work on the same formula: a catchy as hell riff forms the backbone of the song, and evolves as it progresses.

The only downside to ‘The Heathen Circus’ is its sameness. Despite Lepers & Crooks undeniable songwriting ability and the fantastic dynamics of every track, ‘The Heathen Circus’ lacks experimentation, and at times feels a little too formulaic. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, a little bit of experimentation and a few left of field influences would really have made the EP pop and set the band apart from the pack.

Overall, Lepers & Crooks have produced an EP to be proud of, with solid song structure, great writing, and quality production. If the band were to carry on in this vein and throw in a little more experimentation on future records, they could really become something special. Bonus points for being an Aussie rock band that avoids the pub rock cliché (we’re looking at you AC/DC worship bands).

Lepers & Crooks ‘The Heathen Circus’ EP Tour

FRI 21 OCT
Pelly Bar, Frankston
SAT 22 OCT
Workers Club, Melbourne
FRI 28 OCT
Edinburgh Castle, Adelaide
THU 17 NOV
Transit Bar, Canberra
FRI 18 NOV
Commercial Hotel, Milton
THUR 24 NOV
UOW, Wollongong
FRI 25 NOV
The Chippendale, Sydney

Get Tickets HERE