Black Hearts – ‘From The Ashes’ EP – Not Your Average Metalcore.

Black Hearts – Leeds, England, United Kingdom.

Photo credit – Alison Hope Photography – Click Here

Formally Suicide Defects, Black Hearts are a band hailing from Leeds in England’s north. They are a band who not only made the right decision on the name change, but also produce a hard to pin down and exciting take on modern Metalcore and heavy music.

Influences: ‘Bring Me The Horizon, Beartooth, While She Sleeps, Parkway Drive, Memphis May Fire, Linkin Park.’

Now, most of the above are generally associated with Metalcore, Parkway Drive for example are often hailed as kings of the genre and one of the few to maintain a larger fanbase. Metalcore being a genre often seen as very hit and miss, upon hearing the first few seconds of the first track of this EP, I heard something that I really wasn’t expecting.

‘Praying For Rain’ breaks you in, and even in the intro you wonder why the band list themselves as Metalcore. Vocally, it makes sense, but the accompanying instrumental input in this one sounds like something you would find and a Punk show, surrounded by people losing their shit.

The slight switches to clean vocals from the screamed majority doesn’t quite sit too well in contrast however,  it’s noticeable but isn’t too much of an issue.

‘Caballero’ is next on the roster. Led by the same low growl, it leans more towards a modern Hardcore base but does show the band’s Metalcore riffage poking through.

Track three, ‘Lyngbakr’ genre crosses again to a more Post-Metal angle, reminiscent of Light Bearer. Despite it’s short duration and “outro” structure, it actually my personal favourite and if it ends up being a favourite of yours, you should start listening to Post-Metal.

The track was initially the end of the EP but was bumped up to the penultimate number, but even in it’s down-graded stature, it demonstrates the versatility and willingness to experiment the band embody.

The final track is a re-buffed number from the band’s days as Suicide Defects and applies a much harder and obvious Metalcore influence, as well as a slight melodic Post-Hardcore influence in the chorus, ending a grounded and diverse debut EP.

The band as we speak are breaking in a new drummer, which of course adds the possibility of more diverse influence into Black Heart’s already deceptively diverse melting pot. We’ll be keep an eye out and you can via the following info and links:

• Facebook and Twitter for updates.
• The band’s music is available to download from: iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and bandcamp.
• You also stream the bands material on Spotify.

Oh go on then, one more.

#StayFresh