EP REVIEW: Pure Like Porcelain – Like Moths To Flames
US-based metalcore champs LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES are back with a new EP, Pure Like Porcelain, only a year after their latest album, No Eternity In Gold. The five songs on the EP represent the idea that no one can be perfect, and vocalist Chris Roetter notes that the lyrics from this release are more descriptive than their previous tracks.
Starting off with Ameliorate, this track begins with some electronic elements which then transition into a jumpy riff. Roetter’s classic aggressive vocals soon arrive, creating the dynamic sound this band has become known for. Next we receive a melodic chorus with a really great sounding tune which displays the clean vocal abilities of the band. This pattern of unclean verses followed by clean choruses is a staple in the metalcore genre, allowing performers to display their talents whilst also being able to create really catchy tracks. Again in classic metalcore fashion, we get a hard hitting breakdown, dropping in on a strong “blegh” and continuing with the punchy riffs we have come to know and love.
One of the singles off of the EP, The Preservation Of Hate, goes against the grain a little, being a purely aggressive track and not including any clean sections. This is the track for fans of LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES’ heavier side. Using pinch harmonics and fast paced drums, this song has a massive presence, playing around with different rhythms and riffs to create a huge sound. It’s great to see a song that doesn’t follow the stereotypical metalcore template, as it can sometimes limit the range of sound that a band is able to create if they feel they have to tick specific boxes to stay relevant in the genre.
Gnashing Teeth starts off slow, but then throws you into the deep end with a screamed drop. The riffs used in the tracks on this release seem to all follow the same sort of pattern, and it would have been nice to hear some higher tuned areas to create a bit of contrast. Saying that however, the song still has a nice variation and makes as big of an impact as any other song on this release.
The last song on the EP, Do Not Resuscitate, begins with a quieter section, creating a limelight for some aggressive vocals which introduce us to the main first verse of the track. There seems to be a keyboard note subtly in the background of the hooks and chorus, which is a cool addition which contrasts with the drums and guitars. The chorus of this track is very memorable and feels heartfelt, running on the back of the band saying the lyricism of this release has been more detailed than their previous attempts. The riff for this track in particular does range in pitch more so than the other tracks, which is great as it gives a bit more variation to the EP.
Overall, the songs on this EP as a whole are very strong, but other than lyrical content, it can’t be said to stray from the path of their previous releases that much. It would be great to see LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES experiment a bit more with their sound, as they definitely have it in them to create something really inspired.
Rating: 7/10
Pure Like Porcelain is set for release on November 5th via UNFD.
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