EP REVIEW: Lost In The Noise – Modern Error
Given the current boom in UK heavy music, for an emerging band, to hold their own against the current competition is no easy task. To truly make a name for yourself today, you better have something special up your sleeve. Enter MODERN ERROR who arrive on the scene with their debut EP Lost In The Noise.
The EP roars into life with Buried and Blue, a dissonant number that pushes the aggressiveness of MODERN ERROR‘s sound to the front. Frantic riffing from guitarist Kel Pinchin hits like a hammer whilst vocalist Zak Pinchin‘s rapid deliveries inject a further dose of urgency to proceedings. It’s a whirlwind opening and sets the band in good stead for the rest of the record.
As Lost In The Noise progresses, the band certainly aim to demonstrate their versatility, not just with their instrumental skill, but by pulling from a range of emotions to help the record resonate with the listener. Funeral Verse portrays itself as the polar opposite to Buried and Blue as its stripped back nature of melodic guitar-play and solemn drumming from Connor Nicholls combine with Zak Pinchin‘s emotion-driven vocals, culminating in a glorious finale. Delivered to pin-point precision, it gives a glimpse at what MODERN ERROR are capable of and is easily the strongest song on the record.
Similarly, Blackout Poetry‘s anthemic chorus packs hooks in abundance, as Pinchin‘s soaring vocals hark back to the glory days of melodic hardcore, Cross Me Out‘s moody verses build anticipation before exploding into a chorus that will see fists soar into the air and Self Synthetic‘s subtle utilisation of harmonies in the guitar department helps create an immersive atmosphere that allows Zak Pinchin to deliver his best clean vocal deliveries on the entire record. However, for all that MODERN ERROR get so right with Lost In The Noise, there are moments where the EP drifts by, dampening its overall impact. Separation Scars is a largely forgettable number thanks to a mid-tempo plod that drags out and its chorus doesn’t hit nowhere near as hard as what we’ve heard prior.
Perhaps more eyebrow-raising though is the inclusion of two reworked songs that close the record out. The seventh and eighth track on the record, Funeral Verse + and Separation Scars + respectively, sees the band incorporate more electronic sounds into their soundscape and whilst it does demonstrate that there is ambition to push their sound forward and the tracks themselves are passable enough, you can’t help but question their inclusion as opposed to two original songs.
On the surface, Lost In The Noise appears to tick all the boxes of what one is to expect with modern melodic hardcore. Hard-hitting riffs? Check. Interchanging passages of harsh to clean vocals? Check. Underlying emotional depth? Check. Whilst this may not scream originality, what MODERN ERROR demonstrate across the record is enough quality to keep you hooked from the first note to the last. A fine first foray from a band that will definitely be worth keeping an eye on.
Rating: 7/10
Lost In The Noise is out now via self-release.
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