There’s a certain kind of energy tied to that MySpace-era wave of metalcore and early deathcore—over-the-top, dramatic, and unapologetically emotional—and Ends In Tragedy tap into it on Beauty Of Death with a level of sincerity that keeps it from feeling like empty nostalgia. This isn’t just imitation; it’s a band that clearly understands the DNA of that era and brings it back with enough intent to feel alive again.

“An Air Of A Quiet Death” opens things on a restrained note, leaning into a slow, violin-led build that carries a quiet, mournful weight. It’s a simple introduction, but it sets the tone effectively, creating a sense of dread that gives the heavier moments more impact when they arrive. That payoff comes quickly with “Shut The Gates,” where the band snaps into a sharper, more aggressive gear. The guitars cut through with that familiar mix of metalcore precision and death metal edge, while the drums hit with a satisfying punch—especially in the kick. The high-pitched screams feel pulled straight from that mid-2000s playbook, but they’re delivered with enough conviction to avoid sounding forced. It’s a direct track, but one that builds into a more chaotic and dissonant finish that hits with real intent.

“Beg For The Blood” pushes things further, adding a bit more ambition to the formula. The pacing stands out here, with a slower build that allows the tension to settle before breaking into tighter, more frantic riffing. Vocally, the range expands—piercing highs clash with deeper, guttural tones that lean closer to deathcore territory. The inclusion of a movie sample feels like a deliberate nod to the era they’re drawing from, and while some of the more melodic passages don’t feel fully fleshed out, the track makes up for it when the breakdowns hit. There’s a sense that the band understands how to build toward those moments rather than just dropping them in.

The title track is where everything comes together most clearly. “Beauty Of Death” balances melody and heaviness with more confidence, and the guitar work feels tighter, occasionally branching into more technical territory without losing focus. The bass also steps forward here, anchoring the track in a way that earlier moments sometimes lacked. A slower midsection gives the song room to breathe before it builds back into a heavier, more controlled finish. It’s one of the few points where the band’s sense of structure, emotion, and execution all align.

“Heart Still Beats” closes the EP by slightly shifting the energy. The cymbal-heavy intro adds a different texture before settling back into the band’s established mix of sharp riffs and heavy chugs. It’s not the most adventurous track here, but it reinforces one of their strongest qualities: pacing. Even when the ideas themselves aren’t groundbreaking, the band knows how to structure a song so it keeps moving and doesn’t feel stagnant.

Across Beauty Of Death, the biggest takeaway is commitment. The production is solid overall—drums hit with force, guitars cut cleanly—though the bass can feel inconsistent depending on the track. More importantly, the songwriting shows a clear understanding of tension and release. Ends In Tragedy know when to pull things back, when to let atmosphere build, and how to make their heaviest moments feel earned.

It doesn’t reinvent metalcore, and it doesn’t try to. Instead, it pulls from a very specific era and reintroduces it with enough energy and purpose to feel relevant again. Beauty Of Death is a strong, focused release that wears its influences proudly while hinting at a band capable of pushing those ideas even further.