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Transgression

As Tides Change EP

Written by: AP on 18/10/2010 15:53:01

The time has come once again to reduce the mountain of music that comprises my pending reviews. Starting with Transgression from the old Blighty, we begin in the technical end of metalcore in a blatant attempt to resurrect my status as the webzine's aficionado in this genre. While my affections lie elsewhere these days, Transgression do manage to conjure from me a feeling of nostalgia best explained by the band's retrospective look on the genre.

So retrospective is this look on the band's second demo, "As Tides Change", that sonically the band has traversed back in time to tiptoe in the mysterious origins of the genre, where the lines between melodic death metal and metalcore were defined almost solely on the basis of breakdowns or no breakdowns. It was here that bands like Killswitch Engage found foothold and, in the wake of the legendary At the Gates, set in motion a revolution in heavy music - one which would go on to cause an irreparable divide between those embracing the emergent pop complexions and those detesting the divergence from what was considered to be a treasure of the underground.

Quite a digression there. The point is that Transgression do not belong among the progenies of the revolution, but among its proprietors. "As Tides Change" bodes four songs worth of technical staccato and tremolo riffs with a progressive edge in the vein of August Burns Red, with the only connection to metalcore as we know it today being a few well placed breakdowns. The low fidelity production (a consequence of this being a demo though it may be) and the band's flair for writing intense but no less melodic songs makes Transgression sound strikingly similar to Darkest Hour in the instrumental channels, while vocalist Shaun Crotty growls and screams in pitches akin to... most of the As Blood Runs Black vocalists through time.

The music is of course not the height of innovation, but if you need assurance that there are still youngsters out there fighting to eradicate the fashionistas and neon dorks that have taken over a genre once renowned for its tributes to iconic Gothenburg bands, then look no further. In defying current trends and remind us what metalcore used to sound like, Transgression have earned the right to bear their ambitious name.

Download: As Tides Change, From Grace, Promises, These Scars I Bear
For the fans of: As Blood Runs Black, August Burns Red, Bleed From Within, Darkest Hour
Listen: Myspace

Release date 08.11.2010
Rising Records