EP REVIEW: Baptise – Terminals

Birmingham trio TERMINALS have released a string of hit singles since they formed at the end of 2022. Back in May they played a show at London’s famed New Cross Inn, and they have cited the likes of LOATHE, DEFTONES and RADIOHEAD as some of their influences which can all be heard throughout their debut EP Baptise.

The EP opens with one of the aforementioned hit singles Swim, and its slow-paced instruments – played to perfection by bassist  James Cohu and drummer Joe Cooper – allow guitarist and vocalist James Whitehouse to shine. It’s an intimate song that hooks the listener in, and from there the band refuse to let them go throughout the entire EP. Next track Depths is slightly similar to Swim, but the instruments are more upbeat. It transitions nicely into Rise, which is an atmospheric guitar-driven interlude that also serves as a bridge between the first two songs and the last two songs.

Big Sky is another slower song, but this time it is mostly driven by the drums. It’s the calm before the storm that is the closing title track, which shows a grungier side to the band, with heavy instruments combined with softer vocals. The contrast works well, and the band show that they can extend their sound while being smart enough to keep their cards close to their chest.

The majority of the EP shows a softer side to the band, which may somewhat defy expectations of what a debut EP should involve, but this allows TERMINALS to worm their way into the listener’s ear. The only gripe really is that, as mentioned, the first two songs sound slightly similar, whereas all the other tracks seem to have more of their own identity, but ultimately TERMINALS have demonstrated exactly why they are one of the most exciting upcoming new bands with an EP that is coherent and easy to listen to. From the closer especially it is clear that the band are not a one-trick pony, and most of all that this is still just the beginning for this talented trio.

Rating: 8/10

Baptise is set for release on July 3rd via self-release.

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