EP REVIEW: A Conscious Motion – Cove
British metal has experienced a creative renaissance in recent years. With breakout bands like EMPLOYED TO SERVE, VENOM PRISON and CONJURER whipping up a storm and behemoths like WHILE SHE SLEEPS and ARCHITECTS going from strength to strength, the bar is set overwhelmingly high. Kent quintet COVE have been making ripples in the British metal world since their inception back in 2016, but now, two years later they are back with their sophomore effort titled A Conscious Motion. But does this new offering have enough to stand firm against the giants of our scene?
Rather than roaring into life from the off, opening track Coincide:Collide is a much more brooding affair. Thick and heavy basslines from Charlie Smith carry the weight of the track as Ben Shorten‘s range of shouts and delicate cleans weave their way through the intoxicating atmosphere. The guitar-work is intricate, morphing from melodic notes to hammering riffs as the track evolves. It’s a strong opening to the EP.
Going for the jugular, Solis pulls no punches and takes your breath away right from the get-go. Guitarists Ben Brazier and Pete Woolven combine brilliantly to create riffs that bounce and hurtle the pace forwards as Shorten‘s pummelling vocals reign above the chaotic rhythm. And yet where Solis absolutely shines is in the chorus as the guitars soar and Shorten combines with his bandmates to create a double whammy of shouts and backing cleans that really hammers home. It’s the standout track of the EP and one which demonstrates the class in COVE‘s arsenal.
As the EP progresses, the tone and mood set by the opening salvo continues very much in the same fashion. All I Believe presents another emotion-ridden affair as the mid-tempo guitar-work creates a moving and enticing atmosphere and Shorten absolutely excels in his delivery of delicately sung cleans in the track’s verses whilst interlude track Host maintains the moving atmosphere through ominous drumming and sorrowful guitar-work.
Intending to finish on a high, Reflect:Resolve offers one final bout of emotionally driven hardcore to wonderful effect. The guitar-work from Brazier and Woolven is yet again impressive with their intertwining riffing packing plenty of bite and technical skill and Ben Shorten‘s vocals pack a punch as his screams provide plenty of aggression. The pacing is well structured, flowing from an explosive opening salvo to a mid-tempo and moving conclusion that demonstrates the melody at their disposal. A strong end to the EP.
To stand out in the current climate of the British metal scene, you have to do something truly special and with A Conscious Motion, COVE have crafted six tracks that provide aggression and emotional release in abundance. Whilst this EP may not elevate them to the same heights as some of their peers, what this EP shows is buckets of potential from COVE. If they stay on course, then the world will very much be their oyster.
Rating: 8/10
A Conscious Motion is out now via self-release.
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