EP REVIEW: The Fatal Flaws of Humankind – Beyond Extinction

The future of deathcore has arrived, and it’s emerged from Essex. BEYOND EXTINCTION have an average age of seventeen and their oldest member – guitarist Jude Bennett – is the only one born outside this millennium; even then, we’re talking 1999. But despite their tender years, they’ve been a band for well over half a decade and this Friday sees the release of their debut EP, The Fatal Flaws of Humankind, one which they’ve brought out themselves.

The first half of the EP contains the two singles already released in God Complex and Apex Predator. The former is nothing short of impressive; the swing on the guitars from Bennett and Zachary Scott is sonically lethal, whilst vocalist Jasper Harmer’s war cry of ‘No forgiveness!’ runs through as a secondary hook to give the track bounce and a serious stomp. Apex Predator, meanwhile, takes the best of BURY TOMORROW and THY ART IS MURDER and smashes them together without a second thought. The breakdown here is somehow even bigger than the one in the previous song. Both are bolstered by a crisp production job that allows every element to hold its own in harmony; there’s nothing submerged or hidden, it’s all loud and clear.

The second half of the EP contains the two tracks not yet released, but that doesn’t mean it’s any sort of B-side. Bones Like Branches picks the pace up again and is more in the realms of the ‘death’ side of things, the only difference is that this one contains an abrasive gang vocal of ‘When I die, crucify!’ straight out of ARCHITECTS’ scrapbook. Rounding off the record is A Face Without Features, and this is where BEYOND EXTINCTION show they have more than a single dimension. A clean beginning that builds nicely into something with added crunch and a sprinkling of electronics towards the end are a nice touch, but it doesn’t interfere with the main attraction – the thunderous drums and guitars that pummel the listener into submission for the fourth and final time.

There are plenty of things you can do in a quarter of an hour – complete a crossword, make and eat an omelette or watch a Top Ten countdown on YouTube, to name but three. However, you could also listen to The Fatal Flaws of Humankind, an absolute rager of an EP, smile at the thought that a brand new generation of heavy bands know what they’re doing and take comfort in the fact you made the best use of your time.

Rating: 8/10

The Fatal Flaws of Humankind is set for release January 29th via self release. 

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