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:

Linktree

Merch

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Seek Harbour - Far From Home - EP Review

Seek Harbour - Far From Home - Independent

Track List:

1. Dagger Like Eyes

2. Wolves

3. Far From Home

4. TY (FBMH)

One of my favorite parts of being an independent music outlet is finding and being introduced to new bands in the scene. I'm sure many think that with the internet, how could you not easily find every band that makes music you like? But it happens, and sometimes it happens because there are separate scenes in other countries. That's where Seek Harbour comes in. Seek Harbour will release the entirety of their debut EP, 'Far From Home,' independently on Friday, April 8th.

Seek Harbour are a post-hardcore band from Kent, located in the UK. But it's probably a little too easy to say they're "post-hardcore," as Seek Harbour adds a few genres to the mix, including some pop-punk sensibilities and hardcore-style screamed vocals in their dual-vocalist band. Nevertheless, it's a fascinating and exciting combination, primarily because the band has a sturdy melodic post-hardcore backbone.

The band has been releasing tracks from the debut 'Far From Home' EP since 2021 but will culminate with the emotional finale 'TY (FBMH),' which I believe stands for "Thank You (For Bringing Me Here)" on Friday. The song is very melodic and especially catchy in nature. The screams (or uncleans) are minimal, but the passion is still at the forefront. This is often the way Seek Harbour handles the song structures in 'Far From Home.' The instrumentation is often very clean. The singing and screaming switches are placed up front in the mix. Thankfully, they are not muddled in the production, which can often be the case in these genres.

Throughout the EP, Seek Harbour creates an intoxicating atmosphere that drives anticipation for what's coming next. The mix between singing and screaming is varied and keeps the listener's interest without becoming stagnant. The instrumentation follows precisely as needed by complimenting the atmosphere and adding the appropriate flair. For a debut EP, 'Far From Home' certainly doesn't show it.

Even though the debut EP is relatively short. At four tracks totaling nearly fourteen minutes, Seek Harbour has made a cohesive EP saturated with so much passion and emotion that repeat listens aren't just demanded; they're needed. So make sure 'Far From Home' and Seek Harbour are on your radar this Friday and in the future.

Bandcamp (Pre-order ‘Far From Home’)

‘Far From Home’ (Pre-save)

Facebook

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HAWK - Tolerance's Paradox - EP Review

HAWK - Tolerance's Paradox - EP - Independent

Track List:

1. CLVRMFKR

2. Mileage (1st Single)

3. King With No Survivors

4. Alibi (3rd Single)

5. Counter Ops (2nd Single)

6. Universes

HAWK's debut EP 'Tolerance's Paradox' is undoubtedly no paper tiger.

December can often be a strange time to release music, and with a global pandemic to boot, this December could be the most bizarre yet. In our music scene, one thing that has always baffled me about November and December is that many people already have their "best of the year" lists completed. Nothing is ever in concrete, I'm sure, but every year there's bound to be a surprise release that, for lack of a better cliche, comes out of nowhere. This December is no different as HAWK releases their debut EP 'Tolerance's Paradox' TODAY!

For anyone unfamiliar with HAWK or want some backstory, HAWK is the "evolution" of This Or The Apocalypse (TOTA). "Evolution" is in quotes because HAWK seems to be the manifestation of a band that learned many lessons over its' four full-length album career. After many labels, personnel changes, and sound changes, HAWK has emerged with no label, two original members (Ricky Armellino and Jack Esbenshade), and their debut EP of catchy, post-hardcore/alternative tracks, one of the most exciting and unique of 2020. 

(PS - Drawing a blank? You may have seen Ricky playing guitar and singing back-up for Ice Nine Kills in recent years) 

Even the EP's title, 'Tolerance's Paradox,' is thought-provoking. Knowing the lead vocalist Ricky Armellino, it could mean any number of things:

1. Is it a play off of philosopher Karl Popper's paradox of tolerance, which, to paraphrase, is the concept that to be a tolerant society, you must be intolerant to intolerance?

2. Is Tolerance a person's name, and they have a paradox?

3. Is it just a cool title?

4. Insert more ridiculousness here.

I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that I think it's the first one, and not necessarily because it seems intellectual, but because the saying is often applied to a political climate, and more than one track in this release can be interpreted as political. At least one track (Track 5 - Counter Ops) is blatant in its political message of insurgency. But that's not all the release is, nor should you be "turned off" by music that may have a political statement. Come on; this has Ricky screaming and singing. How can you go wrong?

Each track is uniquely it's own. Today's scene bands may make a "heavy" album that gets them popularity and then completely switch to a "softer" genre on their next release, but this isn't what HAWK has done here. They've mixed genres but made each track so different from the next while still being HAWK. That's not an easy feat to accomplish, especially for a band going through a brand revamp. HAWK's strength comes from mood changes, turn of phrases, and dynamic shifts, while still being cohesive. Each song is catchy in different ways, which keeps the listener interested in a very dense and congested scene. Even the three singles released previously (Mileage, Counter Ops, and Alibi) are tracks you won't want to skip while listening to the entire experience.

From an almost spoken-word opening with a bleeped-out expletive to a Dayseeker-esque closer, 'Tolerance's Paradox' keeps you captivated from front to back and is the perfect introduction to new fans and fans that loved TOTA alike. One thing I can say for sure, 2020 might have been a shit year (for many reasons), but as far as music goes, with the addition of 'Tolerance's Paradox,' 2020 is ending the right way, and the future is nothing but bright.

Make sure to support HAWK in all they do by following the links below:

HAWK - Website

HAWK - Facebook

HAWK - Spotify

HAWK - Instagram

HAWK - Twitter