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The Last Messenger

Perspectives EP

Written by: PP on 20/06/2012 20:13:27

Copenhagen based metalcore group The Last Messenger recently released their sophomore EP "Perspectives", a piercing five track metalcore assault that's better than their debut EP in pretty much all aspects except one, but we'll get to that soon. The songwriting has improved immensely from your average metalcore clone band into something with a little more identity and character in it, most clearly visible on the title-track which features slick, racy metalcore leads, tempo changes, and all the rage from the checklist of what makes for a good song in the genre. Quality riffing is present throughout the rest of the EP as well, which bodes good for the young band's future once they schedule a session with a proper producer, and as a new element the band are bringing in influence from the deathcore genre, but only ever-so-slightly. Breakdowns may be present, yes, but they flow organically in the songs and don't pause the rhythm down for no reason whatsoever (like is the case in many deathcore and beatdown bands, for instance).

However, one problem remains with The Last Messenger, which existed already on their debut EP but has now been placed in the spotlight given the improved songwriting overall, and that's the production, or lack thereof. It's far too rough and unpolished to give the band's guitarists proper credit for their solid work on the frets, resulting in loose-sounding and hollow instrumentals that are in desperate need of precision-guided timing and fine-tuning in order to achieve their full potential. But more irritating is the lo-fi production's effect on the vocals, which frankly suck balls. The low growls lack power, the cleans aren't exactly in tune, and any melodies or contrasting heavy elements against the guitars are almost impossible to uncover from the mix. It feels like a heavyweight shovel is needed to unearth what's going on in the mix.

Fortunately, these are all problems that production can fix, though, and once the band head into a proper recording studio and follow the lead of an experienced producer, they'll release a worthy addition to the Danish metal scene. As it stands now, all the good effort is ruined by awful production.

Download: Perspectives, Closure
For the fans of: August Burns Red, All That Remains, I Killed The Prom Queen
Listen: Bandcamp

Release date 23.02.2012
Self-Released