EP REVIEW: Turning Point – Becoming The Lion

BECOMING THE LION have come full circle. Starting in 2009 as a solo project to experiment with post-hardcore, it soon expanded into a full band. They released four instrumental demo EPs and re-released two of them with vocals and a new fresh take. Now, Ross Blomgren, who is the project’s mastermind, is back at the helm and ready to expand the band beyond the metal/post-metal label. The new EP Turning Point is a literal turning point for BECOMING THE LION, who are about to enter a new era.

Across five songs, there is a wide variety of sounds. Whether it is the indie rock of opener Intentional Liar, which makes the most of Blomgren‘s fantastic guitar playing, or the fast-paced guitar driven Great Escape, the EP changes genres like a chameleon, and each new skin suits the EP well. Speaking of chameleons, Foolish Chameleon is a slower song; however, this does not slow the EP down and instead allows the listener to truly appreciate the intricacies of the track. Whilst the lyrics might be a little repetitive, especially during the closing minute of the song, the rest of it is wonderful. With a beautiful guitar solo and some fantastic drumming, the song is one of the many highlights of the EP.

It also serves as a transition. Stone’s Throw starts off slow before launching into something more fast-paced. The closing title track is a sombre song that kicks into high gear. Whilst this does mean that there is a pattern to the last two songs, they are not totally similar, as the title track changes pace throughout its runtime, switching from slow to fast to ensure that there is still some variation.

Whilst Turning Point is a fantastic EP, it isn’t perfect. The aforementioned Great Escape is a brilliant song, but it is sometimes so fast that it flies by. Other than that the rest of the EP feels rather slow, with all the songs falling into the three to five minute range. The production on it is very good, as each song gets its own time to breathe and, for the most part, each has its own voice.

Overall – and as mentioned – Turning Point is a fantastic EP. By moving away from the metal/post-metal sound, the band have opened the doors to endless possibilities. This new EP gives an exciting glimpse into the future. Whilst it isn’t perfect, it is a very good introduction to anyone who hasn’t heard of BECOMING THE LION before.

Rating: 8/10

Turning Point is set for release on January 19th via self-release.

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