Convictions - I Won’t Survive - EP - Independent
Track List:
The War That Followed Me Home
Wreckage
The Price Of Grace
Teeth
Hurricane
Everything I Never Told You (Instrumental)
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.
