Texas Platters

Long-running "Best Metal Band" in the Austin Music Poll, Dead Earth Politics has spent recent years cutting the fat, issuing a series of EPs that avoid potential bloat by getting down to business. The Mobius Hammersmith continues the local quintet's odyssey of styles, few bands of this ilk so dedicated to synthesis instead of subgenre. "Runescarred" sets a base of traditional headbanging, adds dashes of death metal and metalcore, and jackets it in a catchy melody, guitar wizardry, and Ven Scott's burly larynx. After a brief bit of acoustic guitar, "Broad Wings & Distant Shores" thrashes and growls gleefully, while "Balancing Broken Scales" alternates chugging verses with a sing-along chorus. These attempts at accessibility on the 25-minute extended play – more singing, less screaming, guitar riffs easy to grasp and hold – doesn't lessen Dead Earth Politics' wild-eyed power or appeal.