Metalcore seems to also have received a generational resurgence much like death metal these days. From the UK in Derby, Lost to Light is another explosive newcomer setting their sights on achieving appeal from the underground to above. Already possessing experience in other acts like Sworn Amongst and The Cartographer, this band’s debut EP Conceal contains five songs of personal internal challenges that offer hope to those that may feel alone, musically serving up the versatility that this style can offer as a sextet with double barreled vocalists and guitarists in their ranks.
The arsenal of twin guitar rhythms of a low-tuned to melodic variety beyond the clean to screaming vocal employment guarantees that right from the get go for “Redeemer” that any metalcore follower will be sucked into the sound of this group. The dazzling display of proper phrasing, ideal tempo transitions, plus choruses that stick in your cranium for days on end should sit near and dear to fans of Bad Omens and Spiritbox. Elements of a cappella vocals, lower stunted riffs fueled by energetic double kick drum action, as well as the extra orchestration swirls next to some killer breakdown segments that can be unpredictable keep the songs moving at a brisk three to four minutes and change pacing. Daryl Martin and Dan Gorman as axe players deliver interesting main riffs that branch off into melodic buildups or steamroller to clean responsibilities – check out “Confess” for all sides of their abilities, the softer verses leading to tremendous aggressive, circular payoffs. Closer “Comatose” contains some of the heaviest passages on the EP, the guitar layers mirroring the aggressive growls/screams, drummer Thomas Alfrey switching things up between controlled main tempos plus occasional wilder, blast-fueled parts.
Metalcore isn’t this scribe’s favored genre, but it’s hard to deny Lost to Light’s obvious abilities to convey the style’s appeal to a wide array of heavy music consumers. Conceal contains enough balance between the melodic and aggressive sides to give the group plenty of fuel to raise the stakes when they hit the stage, already intent on a second EP sooner than later to rattle more cages.