InRetrospect - current_state. - EP Review

InRetrospect - current_state. - Independent

Track List:

1. substrate.

2. current_state.

3. deadweight.

4. safe_haven.

5. eclipse.

6. counting_days.

The UK's InRetrospect is everything I want in my modern metalcore bands, and I hope it's the same for you. When I was first introduced to the band, I felt it from the first note and pound of the drums in the track 'safe_haven.'. Luckily, that feeling continued throughout InRetrospect's singles and their new EP 'current_state.'. I'm sure everyone can think back to some staple introduction EPs in the scene (I'll wait), and after listening to 'current_state.', I'd be hard-pressed not to name it as a great new edition to that list.

The band mixes modern metalcore genres with ease. There are many metalcore staples throughout the EP, including growl screaming, pretty choruses, and chugs (of course). But when these elements are not only done right but expanded upon, you can't help but take notice. There's also some programming/electronics, but it's kept to a minimum to add to the atmosphere. But, again, that's a veteran move from a relatively new band. InRetrospect is a band that feels polished like they've been around longer than they actually have.

The entire band is technically sound, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention their vocalist Nathan Biddles. Nathan is covering the singing and screams in the EP seamlessly. Not only that, he's covering multiple styles of each style with the range to pull it off. It's a pretty impressive feat while keeping the music exciting and far from stale, which can sometimes be an issue in modern metalcore. From the music videos available, the vocalist also has a presence that must make live performances stand out. Even as a relatively new band, the sound is crisp, well-produced, and not oversaturated.

Each track brings something new to the EP. The intro track 'substrate.' fades in slowly and starts with impassioned singing before bringing in screams for the first time, layered with some great riffs and back and forth vocals dynamics. Then, a track like 'deadweight' hits you quickly with a faster tempo and low screams into a catchy melodic chorus. Throughout the EP, there are plenty of melodies and hard-hitting instrumentation. Soaring vocals and brutal lows. The lyrics are passionate and can often get caught in your head. You could easily see yourself singing along live and jumping in the pit the next second. It's cliche, but there really is something for everyone here.

'current_state.' gives a taste of what the band is capable of, but it leaves the listener craving more as it comes in at 6 tracks in total. Of course, that's not a bad thing to keep people's attention, and what's also nice is that the EP has replayability. Each song/single can realistically be added to any metalcore playlist for repeat listens. I can't help but look forward to the next outing by InRetrospect.

InRetrospect's new EP, 'current_state.' independently comes out on June 10th. Make sure you support InRetrospect by visiting the following links:

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Convictions - I Won't Survive - EP Review

Convictions - I Won’t Survive - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. The War That Followed Me Home

2. Wreckage

3. The Price Of Grace

4. Teeth

5. Hurricane

6. Everything I Never Told You (Instrumental)

7. Last Cell

Is the scene ready for blistering metalcore therapy? With their new EP, Convictions certainly believe so, and I tend to agree.

Somewhat fresh off their separation from InVogue Records, the newly independent Christian metalcore band Convictions have created a mixture of heavy music and pure emotion that may not have been accomplished before (or maybe not accomplished as well). There have always been tales of sadness in metalcore, that’s well-worn territory, and some bands do it very well. But Convictions haven’t created a concept album of relationship heartbreak (just heartbreak of a different kind). 

Through two years, Convictions performed a series of interviews with friends, family, and fans (maybe somewhat indistinguishable from each other at this point), covering personal stories of survival. The topics range from cancer to suicide, and each track, as you might imagine, hits hard. And in this case, I’m not talking heavy, even though they definitely are. In fact, this may be the heaviest Convictions has been so far in their career. Lead vocalist Mike Felker says it best, “I want to be heavy with intent.” Truer words have never been spoken in this case.

One of the significant parts of ‘I Won’t Survive’ is listening to the instrumentation, dynamic ebbs, flows, and deeply personal stories. You can tell that Convictions chose stories to share that are universal. With all the awful things that can happen in life, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll relate directly to one or more of these tracks. With that connection, the hope is knowing that there are ways to survive that pain and come out the other side stronger, as the people interviewed did. But, if that’s not your style, and you just want to mosh and bang your head, Convictions’ have you covered as well. You can just zone out and let the music do the rest. There’s no way this doesn’t play well live when shows return.

‘I Won’t Survive’ opens up with the single ‘The War That Followed Me Home. A story of PTSD layered with metallic accents, low lows, and a surprisingly catchy chorus for the topic, but that will be a running trend throughout the EP except for the track ‘Teeth’, which is settled right in the middle of the release and is easily the heaviest. No singing/clean vocals, just pure anger. Though it does boast what may be the most positive lyric of the EP, “Through our suffering, we are all connected.” Felker also states that’s it’s almost a summary of the EP and what brings the concept together. 

‘The Price Of Grace’ covers the topic of suicide, something that happened recently to a Convictions’ fan. The story is told by another Convictions’ fan who plays a massive part in the track by adding lines that the band placed in the song itself. In his own words. In his own voice. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It’s so well done in the song that you wouldn’t be able to imagine it without it once you’ve heard it. 

Even though Convictions believe this to be possibly their most polished release, working with such an accomplished producer in Andrew Wade (responsible for many scene band’s sounds including A Day To Remember, Motionless In White, and The Ghost Inside, just to name a few) will undoubtedly make that accurate. Still, the album has a raw feeling to it as well, at least in my opinion. And “raw” doesn’t mean “produced poorly” or “lazy.” Maybe it’s how the lyrics hit, perhaps it’s how the vocals land, or maybe it’s the overall combination of everything together, but that “raw” feeling is precisely where it should be. Even with the instrumental track, this is an extremely hard-hitting release on every level. 

Here’s the business side of things. “I Won’t Survive” is a considerable achievement for Convictions and a statement release for a newly independent band. It’s entirely possible that with the support of loyal fans, this could be one of Convictions’ most significant releases, but even if it isn’t, any label who hears it shouldn’t let them stay independent for long. 

And here’s the conclusion. “I Won’t Survive” can be an extremely emotional album. The conversations brought to life are deep and meaningful, and there’s the absolute chance that listening to these songs will be therapeutic and cathartic for many. The connection achieved from band to listener is stronger, possibly than ever before. “I Won’t Survive” is the manifestation of how important music can be. This is an absolute must-listen not only for any metalcore fan but for anyone who wants to hear passion and conviction in their music.

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Softspoken - Where The Heart Belongs - EP Review

Softspoken - Where the Heart Belongs - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. Sleight of Hand

2. Bones

3. Where the Heart Belongs (featuring Alexia Rodriguez of Eyes Set To Kill)

4. Realign

5. The Road

One of the scene's current trends is for bands to go in a more "pop" direction by taking out or reducing unclean/screaming vocals or adding electronics. One band shaking that notion and forging their path is the band Softspoken out of Kentucky. With their new EP 'Where the Heart Belongs,' Softspoken joins a much smaller group of bands that have added a sense of aggression to their already melodic post-hardcore sound.

Softspoken has always had the melodic part of their post-hardcore style down with previous releases' Pathways' and 'Deaf Perception.' 'Where the Heart Belongs' is no different in that aspect. 'Sleight of Hand' was the first single released back in 2020, and right from the downbeat, you might think you're in for something different. By the second verse, the unclean (screaming) vocals rip through, and you KNOW this is going to be something different from previous iterations. The back and forth between unclean and clean (singing) vocals are balanced very well, and nothing comes off as overwhelming or cliche. 

The EP continues this tradition with some semi-progressive instrumentation, fun riffs, and passionate vocals. From the beginning, Softspoken creates an atmosphere of anticipation that compels you to continue listening all the way through while finding even more moments of connection. There are plenty of times where you'll find yourself singing along with the thoughtful and catchy lyrics and then simultaneously bobbing your head to a catchy beat or banging your head to a drop/breakdown. It's a collection of music that demands multiple listens to pick up on everything you may miss the first time around.

In another unique move in the scene, Softspoken has made the EP available for purchase now while releasing tracks monthly to streaming sites. It's a novel idea, especially since bands' direction seems to focus on only single releases without an EP or album follow-up. It allows fans to support Softspoken and enjoy the entire EP's story or wait for the releases over time. 

For anyone missing the early incarnation of the 'Slaves' sound, Softspoken continues the tradition of passionate and melodic post-hardcore while making it their own. Front to back, 'Where the Heart Belongs' showcases Softspoken's range. Even though the band has released two full-length albums previously, this third release shows that "maturity" doesn't have to mean "stale." There are so much talent and potential in Softspoken, and it's exciting to imagine what could come next. Keep your ears open because you won't want to miss it.

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Landon Tewers - Frontal Lobe Submission - EP Review

Landon Tewers - Frontal Lobe Submission - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. Gospel Therapy

2. Kill Me

3. Fuck Pacing

4. Gave My All

5. Just Talkin

6. When I’m Gone

When I spoke about Landon Tewers last, I reviewed his previous solo release 'Withdrawals.' I started the review by saying, "This is Landon Tewers, not The Plot In You." The same holds true here, so I felt it bears repeating. Landon's solo material usually is very different than anything he's done with The Plot In You previously. But this new release, 'Frontal Lobe Submission' (referred to as FLS as we continue), is also different from 'Withdrawals' and continues the dynamic shifts of Landon's varied music career in a pretty significant way.

FLS begins with the first single, 'Gospel Therapy,' which sounds like it could be a b-side of 'Withdrawals.' It's an interesting dynamic as the song starts as one genre and quickly morphs into a bouncy, funky-groove. You know it would get people moving at a live show. It has that element of surprise during the track's evolution that puts you on your back foot. It asks the question, what can possibly come next?

That "next" is the second single, 'Kill Me.' It's a very catchy song when the chorus crashes in, especially for a song begging for death. It's a full and upbeat song you might not be expecting based on the lyrical content, but one you'll find yourself singing along to quickly. The song features the popular Rory Rodriguez of Dayseeker as a great compliment to this melodic and passionate track.

'Fuck Pacing' changes everything up once again as it seems like it belongs in a movie feeling similar to 'Stand By Me.' Then the beat kicks in, and if your shoulders aren't moving, you must be in a confined space. This track features Gabbie Hanna as a duet, and it's exactly what the track needed. The extra layering compliments everything even before the horns kick in. 

Another sing-a-long track is next in 'Gave My All.' Acoustics drive the pace, and some screaming vocals give the song the extra grit it needs. This will be up there with 'Kill Me' soon enough.

'Just Talkin' probably has my favorite line in this EP: 

"...I will never stay consistent. 

No, I will never

No, I will never think the same."

I feel like that line capitulates Landon, especially when it comes to his music projects and prowess. The beat in this track doesn't even come in until around the second minute. The song continues with an R&B/Hip hop flair that culminates with a very, very strange "child" speaking at the end. It wouldn't be Landon without some weirdness, haha. 

The final track, 'When I'm Gone,' could easily be used in a movie where the main focus is hipster drama. It sounds like the perfect suicide note put to music, but the track isn't depressing; the instrumentation lingers on the positive, almost hopeful tone. It's not the cookie-cutter sad acoustic song at the end of the emo/pop-punk album, and it leaves you wanting more. 

If you take out 'Gospel Therapy,' FLS sounds more focused this time around. It'll depend on your tastes what type of Landon's material you gravitate to most. Still, he always has a way of making everything sound unique. Each release is exciting because not only do you have to stay on your toes, but there's also an abundance of quality that goes with everything Landon does. Start your year off right with 'Frontal Lobe Submission' and listen to Landon Tewers stay consistently inconsistent in the best way possible.

‘Frontal Lobe Submission’ comes out Friday, January 29th.

Pre-order/order ‘Frontal Lobe Submission’ and more, by following the links below:

Landon Tewers - Website (Pre-Order)

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