Homage

Insignificant EP

Written by: MBC on 02/03/2014 08:43:05

Toronto-based melodic hardcore outfit Homage released its debut EP “Insignificant” in 2012. They recently signed with Giant MKT Records who chose to re-release the EP and promote it internationally, and I am quite pleased that this happened, because otherwise I probably would not have been aware of this little gem of an EP. There has not been much information released about the band or their approach to writing music, which is refreshing in a way since the music can then speak for itself.

Homage plays emotional, melodic hardcore that is sure to please fans of bands such as Hundredth and Counterparts. Homage seems like a fitting name for the band, since they do not innovate the genre, but rather play really well written melodic hardcore and thus pay tribute to the bands that came before them. The EP opens up with the song “Groundwork” in which a spoken word performance leads into gang vocal shouts all the while a few simple notes are strummed on a guitar. The track is short and does not contain much and is more like an intro than an actual song. “Albeit” is a great track that switches between down and up tempo and features a strong vocal performance in a desperate mid-range delivery with strong lyrics of self-doubt: “I just discover myself questioning the choices that I've made, the reasoning upheld inside of me. I still find myself judging the person that I am and if I'll make it out with my sanity. Despite all the greatness that surrounds me, I still find myself living on my knees”. The production of the EP is very well done. It has a raw tone to it while the instruments stand out clearly.

The band shows excellent understanding of balancing the heavy, the fast and the melodic parts in its song writing and the five songs on the EP do not follow the same formula. “Definite” for instance starts off aggressive with a long, fast paced sequence, whereas the opening to “Release Relief” is a mellow, melodic intro. The vocal performance on the latter is raw and emotional with lyrics of letting go of the past delivered over a haunting guitar riff: “It's going to be a long time before I see your face the way I used to see it. I used to have a lot of hope in you, but sadly that's not the enough to get us through.” Altogether, the vocalist gives a great, heartfelt performance throughout the EP and is definitely one of the reasons why it works so well.

“Insignificant” is a fine release from a young band with a very promising future. They will definitely be on my radar from now on.

Download: Albeit, Release Relief
For The Fans Of: Hundredth, Being As An Ocean, Counterparts
Listen: Facebook

Release Date 07.01.2014
Giant MKT

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