EP REVIEW: Life And Loss – Afterburn
Following on from their two hardcore punk EPs, Scottish band AFTERBURN have embraced emo – still with a hardcore twist – on their third EP Life And Loss. Hailing from Edinburgh, the band formed in 2019 and released their first EP, Open Eyes Long Blinded, in April that year. They followed this up with Weight Of The World in July 2020, and now with Life And Loss they offer four new tracks which follow in the footsteps of bands like DRUG CHURCH and FIDDLEHEAD.
Decades Like Seconds has a definitive emo sound as soon as it starts. However, the rowdy guitars and heavier drums mean that the hardcore punk edge is not lost. In fact, this EP is a brilliant example of moving one’s sound further on, whilst also maintaining that core sound. There are also some screamed backing vocals thrown in at the end of the song. As I Grow leans more into the hardcore punk sound, with emo-esque instrumentals. It is essentially the first song switched around – at least, that is what you’d think during the first verse, but the choruses are in full emo territory. This might sound like a strange juxtaposition, but the strong production ensures that the genres mix together well.
The title track was the first song to be released from the EP, and it is easy to see why. It has a rougher edge to it, which can reassure any of the fans who were worried about the band forgetting their roots. It is definitely a stand-out song due to the hardcore elements, such as the rough vocal delivery. However, in the context of the EP, it works really well, especially as the foil to the last song.
Clarity features Rebecca from SLOWMOVE. It’s a mid-tempo emo song that shows a softer side to AFTERBURN. Rebecca‘s vocals are a match made in heaven for the band. This song might sound not as interesting compared to the rest of the EP, due to its simple beat that is played on the instruments, as well as the mellow vocal delivery, but on the other hand it shows that the band are happy to make their home in emo just as much as hardcore. If the rest of the EP showcases their abilities to mix both emo and hardcore punk in one place, it makes sense for them to give their spin on emo by itself at the end.
In fact, despite the last song not really sticking out, and generally being a bit more slow-paced, it does not affect the overall pacing of the EP. This is due to the band’s ability to expertly mix genres together. However, they are smart enough to not get too ambitious and try and cram in every genre possible. By sticking to two core genres, there is enough room for experimentation, but it doesn’t sound too different.
Overall, Life And Loss is a fantastic and somewhat experimental change of direction from AFTERBURN. It shows natural growth, as well as some creative choices that work well. Although the last song does sound a little bit like an outlier, it still works in the context of the EP, as the band provide further proof that hardcore punk and emo can blend well together. By sticking with those two genres, the band can give their time and attention to both, expertly honing their craft and making sure each genre gets the love and time to be fleshed out. This EP shows that emo and hardcore can go hand-in-hand, so long as they are both handled with care. Thankfully, AFTERBURN do just that.
Rating: 9/10
Life & Loss is out now via self-release.
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