You can blame producer Ross Robinson for foisting Korn and other nu-metal bands on the world, but if you look at his track record, you’ll see that he’s worked with just as many great left-field loud rock artists such as the Blood Brothers, At The Drive-In, and Glassjaw — in a few cases, creating what some consider career-defining records with these bands.

Now, you can add Wild Throne to that list. The Bellingham, Washington trio — formerly known as Dog Shredder — play high-powered, mathy loud rock that is also very catchy.

If you managed to listen to any of this band’s previous EPs under their other moniker, you’ll hear a band that is not afraid to mess with odd time signatures and push their music into offbeat territories. On this new EP, the first under their new name, they push the more catchy aspects of their music to the forefront. The songs constantly shift between tempos and moods, and it still has the feeling of being a little off-kilter, even when they are laying into a catchy chorus. Also, the EP benefits from Robinson’s “big” sounding production, making the music sound more epic.

“The Wrecking Ball Unchained” shifts moods effortlessly, going from piano-based balladry, twisted prog, and loud, heavy bashing at the drop of a hat. They just take their music and push it into many different directions, all tied together through their virtuoso playing. “Shadow Deserts” opens with a driving riff played slightly off-kilter before switching to more crooning from guitarist/vocalist Josh Holland and a powerful chorus. The title track throws in bits of noise and a wrenching guitar solo to their catchy prog-powered loudness.

This record showcases a band coming into their own and ready to take on the world on their own terms. This is some lively, vital loud rock that should be heard right now.

(Brutal Panda Records, no address provided)