EP REVIEW: Sad Truth – Failstate

There is no denying that South Wales has produced some of the most celebrated bands in the alternative/metal music scene. In the space of 20 years, we have been presented with bands like FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, THE BLACKOUT and KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES. Looking for follow in the footsteps carved by these giants are Newport four-piece FAILSTATE. With their new EP Sad Truth they are hoping to springboard past the local scene and straight into stardom.

They already hit the ground running back in August 2022 with the release of their debut single I Hate You and have done nothing but capitalize on its success. This new offering is just a minimal three songs long, yet the band are determined to show that they believe in quality over quantity. The first of these is Another Ghost, a track that immediately throws us in headfirst and gets things off to a roaring start with a driving beat and wailing guitar hook that feels almost reminiscent of early PARAMORE records. A raspy voice adds so much more emotion to the already descriptive and stirring lyrics; a theme that carries throughout the EP (especially in second track Every Cloud) to make the whole thing feel oddly evocative.

The third and final track Are You Lonely? brings the tempo down to something a little more manageable for newer listeners before it kicks into something boisterous. This change is a welcome addition to their sound, showing that they aren’t just one-trick ponies and allowing them to stand out in the crowd of so many bands that sound similar. They have found their place and sound within the ‘alternative’ realm and merged emotive lyrics with incredible catchy hooks to create an EP that is all round an extremely pleasurable listen. As if they hadn’t already impressed the majority with their talents, the ending flows straight back into the beginning of the EP – a trick that will keep listeners entertained.

It’s hard to pick holes in what they have created because their music oozes with nostalgia. Think of the bands you listened to in your teens that helped shape you as a person – MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, NECK DEEP, or MOVEMENTS… FAILSTATE have managed to echo their sound, taking an already popular genre and turning it into something fresh. They have given it a whole new lease on life for a younger generation that are only now discovering it, adding a fresh and modern twist on an already beloved style. The only hope is that they had added another track or two just to flesh it out a little more, but they have proved that they believe in only serving us their greatest so far – a decision that may seem questionable, but allows them to streamline the already arduous listening process for new fans.

The bar is set so high in this genre as it is, yet FAILSTATE are determined to cut through the noise with their distinctive sound. With this EP, they have made an incredible start in doing so.

Rating: 8/10

Sad Truth is out now via self-release.

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