EP REVIEW: Lifeline – Continents
CONTINENTS are back with a new four-track EP, Lifeline, and there’s no better way to come back after a brief hiatus than with your most brutally raw work yet. This is exactly what the Welsh metalcore unit have done; Lifeline comes at you hard and keeps that pace across all four tracks.
Opening number Gaslight wastes no time reminding you who CONTINENTS are. It’s a heavy-hitter, which perfectly emulates a journey through a dark place. Screamed vocals rip through the first half of the track at breakneck speed, giving you no time to even consider how you got here before taking a quick breather, literally introduced by the word “breathe”. It’s an intense way to start an intense track, and it pays off. The second half is equally tense; heavy, pounding drums layered over barely audible speech evoke a faint sense of anxiety, perfect for the song’s sensitive subject matter. Then, a harsh chant layered over echoing backing vocals preludes a heavy breakdown. It’s a track that twists and turns and intends to let you know the band are back in a big way.
Hurricane doesn’t take the foot off of the gas either. The track explores different instruments while remaining on brand. The intro is brought in with an electronic sound, followed by siren-like wails that bring a deep sense of urgency to what continues to be a pretty dark song. Midway through, vocalist Philip Cross delivers a chant that nearly crosses into rap and the track ends on a deep, guttural growl – both moments that show what he’s capable of as a vocalist.
The EP’s well-deserving title track, Lifeline, is a deep dive into the record’s overarching theme of mental health. Here the focus is deeply on the lyrics, which Cross delivers with such authenticity that it’s clear it’s one close to the band’s heart. It is well thought out, and just like Gaslight it takes you on a journey. Every aspect of the song is engineered to induce emotion. As the track picks up pace repeating “There’s a demon in my head, there’s a demon in my soul”, it’s all too easy to find yourself holding your breath. Then, the breakdown strings crash repeatedly in a wall of noise that keeps you trapped in the moment. It’s impressive instrumental work that you’re glad to reach the end of, as the band finally release you into a moment of pure catharsis.
When the final track Gritted Teeth rolls around, you’re greeted with a head thrashing masterpiece. It’s a song that supplies pure energy, which is a perfect send-off for the EP’s emotional journey, and it’s sure to become a fast favourite for metalcore lovers.
Lifeline is an EP that invites dozens of play-throughs. While it’s only four tracks long, each track is layered so thickly with thought-provoking lyricism and feeling-evoking musical decisions, that each listen will bring forth something you missed on the last one. It’s safe to say CONTINENTS are well and truly back, and better than ever.
Rating: 9/10
Lifeline is set for release on November 24th via self-release.
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