EP REVIEW: Arsonist – Havelocke

“Emo revival” is a phrase that has been thrown around so much, it’s lost all power. However, Sheffield’s own HAVELOCKE are proving once again that they are more than capable of leading the nostalgic movement with their second EP, Arsonist.

Following on from their well-received debut, This Is Havelocke (2019), the new release sees them take on a more horror-infused edge as they delve into all things apocalyptic. Each of the five songs are equally nihilistic in their references to end of the world, be it through vampires, natural disasters, fire or all three. However, vexing songwriting matched with domineering post-hardcore riffs and eerie sampling all drive the melodic and anthemic mood to keep this (borderline) concept record from becoming repetitive.

EP opener After Dark doesn’t necessarily get listeners off on the right foot, however, as Owen Cousins’ clean vocals, which follow an intriguing chug-filled intro, appear flat and struggle. Although, anyone who listens past the first 40 seconds will quickly learn this first impression counts for nothing. As soon as he erupts into well-controlled and surprisingly melodic screams, the EP unofficially begins. Throughout, his vocals (which are sometimes elevated by those of guitarist Hope Thackray) continue to reach new highs as they perfectly capture the angst and aggression of the genre and each songs’ negative topic. Even in closing track When We Go, his clean tones are far stronger, as though he’s found confidence along the way.

Second track and lead single Vampire Eyes still stands as the strongest on the EP. The name itself evokes assumptions of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE-style emo but luckily for HAVELOCKE and their desire for a unique reputation in the scene, that’s where any comparison ends. They delve into the concept of the apocalypse with a high intensity post feel at a far better pacing than the previous song. The whole tone of the track is so nostalgic yet so authentic, giving them the ability to appeal to anyone in the scene, be it 30-year-old grebs or e-kids half their age.

The only downfall of Arsonist lies in underwhelming poor choices in composition, which could arguably be overlooked on casual listens. In the title track and When We Go, emotive and anthemic moments are suddenly diminished in an attempt to show contrast, but on both occasions this is simply anticlimactic. In The Arsonist, a song which feels like an exciting fusion of FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND and CHIODOS, the contrasting levels are controlled for the most part. However, a gargantuan section featuring gang vocals and a big guitar solo is suddenly stripped of all momentum for a couple of bars before an attempt to rebuild is made. Likewise, in When We Go, this is experienced so close the end, it feels like the rug is pulled from beneath their feet mere inches from the finish line. The choice to slow things down 50 seconds from the end and leave us with a half-timed outro dampens the emotional atmosphere which would have been incredibly poignant to close on.

That being said, when we talk about the emo revival, this is what it should mean. What the scene is crying for are fresh-faced bands that take the essence of the 00s genre and enhance it in such an exceptional way that their tracks could easily blend in on any Spotify-curated emo playlist or be appreciated as heart-felt odes to the forefathers of post. HAVELOCKE are a band that have simply mastered both.

Rating: 7/10

Arsonist is set for release April 13th via Silent Cult Records. 

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