"Inner Self" definitely seems to be trying to bring something solid back to the table here, but I get the feeling they might have left a few things behind along the way. There’s a heavy influence of that late '90s Hatebreed-style hardcore, which is great—it has that gritty, aggressive energy—but then they try to slow things down and mix in some heavier, more sluggish parts. While I get what they’re going for, I think this is where they might want to rethink their approach. When they drop into those slow, heavy sections, they tend to linger there a bit too long, and it starts to drain the momentum they’ve built up earlier in the song. At times, these slower segments feel drawn out, almost to the point where I forget what came before them, since all that sticks in my mind is the long, plodding heaviness.

I think they shine the most when they play fast and tight. The drums, in particular, are snappy and quick, and they really drive the intensity during the faster parts of the tracks. There’s a certain urgency and aggression that makes the riffs hit harder when things are moving at a quicker pace. You can really feel the raw power when they’re locked into that fast tempo, and it gives the music a sense of purpose—like something real is being conveyed.

The vocals, on the other hand, seem okay but get a bit buried in the mix. It’s not a major issue, but I do feel like the vocals could come through a little more clearly, especially given the intensity of the instrumental sections. Speaking of the mix, for most of the EP, it feels a bit muffled overall. The sound is a little too muddy, which can sometimes make it hard to fully appreciate all the nuances of the music. However, the last two tracks sound noticeably better—crisper, more dynamic. Whatever adjustments they made in the mix there, they should definitely stick with it because it really improves the overall vibe.

In short, "Inner Self" has a lot of potential, and when they focus on playing fast and tight, they really bring the energy. They just need to tighten up some of the slower sections and maybe revisit the mix to make sure everything is as punchy and clear as it could be.