It’s been two years since Brighton’s Up River last released a record and it’s evident that the time away from the limelight hasn’t been in vain. This year sees the band return with their most aggressive and furious release to date, ‘If There Is A God That Is Judging Me Constantly’. Having moved away from their previous melodic hardcore sound, Up River have re-invented themselves and matured to an almost unrecognisable point.
EP opener ‘Shallow’ begins as one would expect, sounding somewhat familiar for a few bars until the sudden change. Instantly the mood is switched up and the tone for the record is set. This is Up River as we’ve never seen them before: faster, heavier and more ferocious than ever.
Without letting up for even a moments respite, ‘Deaf Waltz’ rips apart any preconceptions or reservations you may have had about the band. The track is a whirlwind of emotions and frustration all delivered by vocalist Harry Huntington’s gut wrenching screams. The pace and onslaught continues with ‘Ghost Particle’, its ‘in your face’ attitude unavoidable as it twists and turns through the inner turmoil inside Huntington’s head. This track is the only time the EP slows down, although only momentarily. A brief ambient bridge eases up the tension slightly before it comes crashing down along with Huntington’s heart-breaking howls of “if there is a God that is judging me constantly. If there is a God who will punish me endlessly.”
‘Charnel House’ is the first single to be taken from the EP and continues the aural assault. The thunderous drums and discordant guitars are utterly relentless. Stripped bare and tackling loneliness head on, the track further explores some deep issues and inner demons. It bleeds into finale ‘Escher’, a song which is as chaotic sonically as its namesake’s artwork is visually. Maintaining pace and aggression right to the very end ‘If There Is A God…’ demands attention and will leave you craving more, the EP’s only downside being that it just isn’t long enough.
This release is an eruption of the raw emotion and passion that has been bubbling away under the band’s surface for some time. ‘If There Is A God…’ is a firm stamp of accomplishment as well as a benchmark for Up River, proving how much they’ve matured as they shed their skin and let the sun set on their previous form.
JAMES DAVENPORT