No longer to be held back by their one song discography, Black Coast are all set to go about conquering the UK metalcore scene with the release of a five song EP.
Launching themselves with lead single ‘Mercenary’ is quite a statement of intent. Unforgiving drum hits and rasping vocals, it’s right up there with the best the underground scene has to offer. At points the vocal performance does have Drew York like qualities. Not quite capturing the same New York snarl as the Stray From The Path singer, the Black Coast frontman puts his own unique stamp on the vicious offering.
Kicking and screaming ‘Violence Reigns’ comes out the blocks with unrelenting power. Probably the heaviest song on the EP, it starts with a lary riff that sets the tone for the following songs well. Raw but razor sharp at all the right moments, the guitars drive each and every song.
It’s refreshing to hear a band not have to rely on beatdowns to boost energy levels, especially when you’re surrounded by bands that generate some every thirty seconds. That being said, it did at times come across a little safe. The heavy bits are badass, chuck some even beefier riffs in and let’s get this going.
Experimenting with their more melodic side, title-track ‘Crows of The North’ does see the pace drop pretty dramatically in its second half. Trying its best to compete with the anthemic brilliance of big hitters Beartooth and Architects was also going to be an uphill struggle. Albeit in short bursts the track does have moments of real quality. Winding down proceedings and wrapping things off nicely with mammoth gang vocals and mellowing guitars it does leave you feeling like you’ve experienced what this band has to offer.
LEWIS TROTT