Mimi Barks is on her way to becoming a household metal name. The London-based trap metaller writes and co-produces all of her own music; this time around she’s working with Silent Cult to release her debut full-length album following her 2022 mixtape, Deadgirl.
Opener FSU melds frantic industrial beats with harsh electronica, hip hop and metal for an instant impact. House Full Of Fakes slows the tempo, its lulling beat becoming distorted before allowing haunting sections of argumentative back-and-forth to break through the noise.
Mimi’s voice is saturated with malice and aggression, her screams interrupting the sonic wall with impressive impact. Her approach is often feral, launching into rapped verses, spoken-word, soaring melodies and frenzied growls with constant enthusiasm.
Having been open about the fact that Deadgirl served as an avenue for the reinvention of herself as a person, you’d be forgiven for assuming that This Is Doom Trap wouldn’t be as personally important to Mimi’s journey. However, throughout the album her lyrics speak of psychotic episodes, medicated fever dreams and interpersonal struggles, showing she’s still not afraid of expressing herself in a brutally honest fashion.
Mimi demonstrates a jarring mash-up of crunchy, distorted bass, harsh vocals and chaotic, frenzied riffs. Disgusted brings a more traditionally metalcore song structure into the mix as a well-needed deviation, because where This Is Doom Trap struggles is its length; Mimi is an expert in trap metal, but not at diversification, and while her lyrical content is enthralling, the soundtrack to her story feels like it drags on.
Despite this, her talent and adaptability shines, particularly when she strips the layers back and allows her music to breathe, as on Final Destination – Death Without Satisfaction. Mimi’s personality and ability to show her raw self make This Is Doom Trap well worth your time.
This Is Doom Trap is out September 27 via Silent Cult
