Bellicose: Unleashing the Modern Animal with Modern Mammal EP

Get ready to be awakened by the raw power and aggression of Bellicose, a New York-based metalcore band that’s about to bring out the modern animal in you. Their latest EP, Modern Mammal, is a short but intense dive into a world of heavy riffs, thunderous drums, and aggressive vocals. For anyone who enjoys hard-hitting metalcore that blends groove and aggression seamlessly, this EP will surely leave you satisfied and wanting more.

The most impressive aspect of this band is their ability to combine groovy rhythms with brutal instrumentation, creating a dynamic and engaging sound. A perfect example of this comes in the track “Born to Lose,” where the band brings in some mid-tempo beats that create a rhythmic groove. The riffs in the middle of this song are infectious, with a tight groove that makes it easy to headbang along while still maintaining the heaviness and grit that metalcore fans crave. This combination of heaviness with groove creates a unique feel that sets Bellicose apart from the rest of the pack.

The band also showcases their ability to experiment with their sound in clever ways. For example, in “Bound to the Bone”, they incorporate dissonant guitar riffs that add a sense of tension and unease to the track. This creates a distinctive feel, especially when the breakdown hits, leaving an impression of chaos and aggression. The guitar work on this EP is interesting and diverse, keeping listeners engaged with every riff and chord change.

Lyrically, the band addresses some heavy themes in Modern Mammal, particularly the dangers of technology and internet culture. In “Bound to the Bone,” the lyrics highlight how modern society can strip people of their authenticity, making them slaves to their devices and online personas. This is a sentiment that many listeners can easily relate to, especially in an age where the digital world dominates our daily lives. The frustration and disillusionment that these lyrics express are perfectly matched by the raw, aggressive vocals that drive the message home. The vocals bring an added edge to the music, giving it that level of intensity and anger that is necessary for this kind of genre.

However, while the EP shows a lot of promise, there are a few areas that could benefit from some improvement. One of the most noticeable issues is with the bass. On several tracks, I found the bass to be drowned out by the other instruments, leaving it hard to pick up on the deeper frequencies. For instance, the opening track “Born to Lose” could have benefitted from a more prominent bass presence to really add weight and depth to the overall sound. Similarly, the last track, “Mental Wealth,” has a noticeable dip in sound quality. The band’s overall mix on this track feels oddly low, making it harder to hear certain elements of the music clearly. The transition from the first two tracks, which had a crisp and punchy production, to the final track, which feels muffled, is a bit jarring.

Despite these minor production hiccups, Modern Mammal is a solid and promising EP from Bellicose. The band has created an energetic and aggressive collection of songs that will appeal to fans of bands like Knocked Loose and Of Mice & Men, blending heavy riffs and aggressive vocals with moments of groove and introspection. If you’re a fan of modern metalcore with a raw, visceral edge, this EP is definitely worth checking out. Bellicose has shown that they have the talent and potential to make a lasting impact on the scene. If they can fine-tune a few aspects of their production and push their sound even further, there’s no doubt that they’ll be a force to reckon with in the years to come.