From the heart of Canberra comes Ben Rankin, a one-man metal tempest whose EP, “This Is More Than Enough,” arrives like a thunderclap in the Australian hard-rock landscape. Over the course of a lonely, week-long studio immersion, Rankin channels influences from Asking Alexandria’s melodic aggression to Avenged Sevenfold’s epic drama—yet carves out an identity all his own. Here’s why this five-track offering demands your full attention:
The EP opens with “1984,” a dystopian fever dream borrowing Orwellian tension to explore modern anxieties about surveillance and self-alienation. Rankin’s clean-to-shredded vocal approach hits like a double-edged sword—starting with a reined-in croon that blossoms into a fierce scream during the chorus, evoking claustrophobia and rebellion in equal measure. Musically, chugging palm-muted guitars are set a whip-crack pace, locked tightly with a double-bass drum assault. Subtle synth undertones, placed low in the mix, hint at the oppressive atmosphere, while Levi Russell’s mastering ensures every riff cuts through with pristine clarity.
In “All Is Well In Hell,” pure aggression is distilled into three and a half minutes. Rankin confronts inner demons and the lure of self-destruction, flipping the “all’s well” cliché on its head. This track is catharsis incarnate: guttural growls and raw shouts lunge from the speakers, each line dripping with pent-up fury. In quieter bridges, his voice cracks with weary intensity, offering a brief, haunting respite. The production is made up of blistering tremolo riffs that collide with pummeling rhythms. The guitar tone is saturated but articulate, allowing pinch harmonics to cut through the low end. The mix keeps the aggression front-and-center—no frills, just unrelenting power.
A seething meditation on shared mistakes and lingering resentment, “The Bed We Made” finds Rankin examining fractured relationships with unflinching honesty. He balances venomous half-sung verses with melodic, anthemic choruses; his range unveiling vulnerability before snapping back into defiance. The result is a push-and-pull dynamic that keeps listeners off-balance. Mid-tempo groove underpins the verse, built on syncopated riffing and punchy snare hits. When the chorus hits, walls of layered guitars and soaring leads erupt, softened only by a brief, atmospheric bridge that spotlights Rankin’s emotive clean vocals.
Embracing the notion that pain finds company in shared misery, Rankin crafts a rallying cry for the brokenhearted in “Misery Loves Company.” His voice alternates between low, gritty recitations in the verse and rage-fueled shouts in the pre-chorus, before unfurling into a cathartic scream that bleeds genuine anguish. Instrumentally, a galloping rhythm section propels the track forward, while dissonant chord progressions inject tension. In a standout moment, a brief guitar solo weaves melodic hooks around trem-heavy bends, all polished by Russell’s punchy mastering.
Closing the EP with a raw ballad, Rankin pleads for presence and connection with “Can You Stay Here?,” a stark contrast to the preceding onslaught. Stripped of distortion, his clean tone shines: earnest, vulnerable, and achingly sincere. Each sustained note quivers with the weight of longing, turning the song into a heartfelt denouement. I loved the gentle arpeggios and ambient guitar swells that cradle his vocals, punctuated by minimalistic drum brushes. The mix lays everything bare, spotlighting the fragility in lyric and performance.
In all, Ben Rankin’s “This Is More Than Enough” is a bold statement from an artist unafraid to expose his fury and his fragility. Handling every stage of songwriting, tracking, programming, and mixing himself, Rankin proves that isolation can be the crucible for true creative fire. With a mastering touch from Levi Russell that elevates each riff and vocal nuance, this EP is an invitation to witness the birth of a new Australian metal force. Canberra, consider this your official welcome: Ben Rankin has arrived, and he’s more than enough.
Listen to the “This Is More Than Enough” EP on Spotify
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