Far From Failure!

Long Goodbye aren't trying to reinvent metalcore on A Whispered Promise of Failure, but they show how much mileage there is in a sound built around frantic riffs, nasty vocals, punishing breakdowns and tightly executed rhythmic changes. The North East England band draw heavily from early-2000s metalcore while adding mathcore-inspired guitar work and atmospheric passages that give their aggression some additional character. Across four tracks, the EP delivers plenty of familiar heaviness, but the musicianship and occasional shifts in direction make it more than just another exercise in breakdown worship. The opening song initially feels fairly standard, yet the material that follows reveals a band with more tricks up its sleeve than that first impression suggests.

“my dearly departed” gets things moving with deep, heavy riffs and sharper guitar lines that bounce between different rhythmic patterns. The vocals have a raspy, fry-heavy delivery that fits the band's sound, while crashing cymbals and punchy drums give the track plenty of forward momentum. The production is strong, keeping the instruments clear enough to appreciate the details without stripping away the necessary roughness. There's a satisfying groove to the riffs, and the slower, denser breakdown toward the end gives the song a suitably heavy finish. That said, the opening track sticks fairly closely to established metalcore conventions. The frantic riffing, harsh vocals and breakdowns are all executed well, but there's little here that immediately distinguishes it from the many bands operating in a similar lane. It's a solid introduction, even if it doesn't fully reveal what Long Goodbye are capable of.

“when commentators fall silent” makes a stronger impression by introducing more variety into the arrangement. A gradual buildup gives way to deep drums and frantic guitar work, with tightly coordinated kick drums providing a particularly satisfying backbone. The high-pitched pinch harmonics add some welcome character, cutting through the dense riffing without feeling like unnecessary decoration. The drums are especially impressive, shifting between rapid patterns and more controlled passages while keeping the song grounded. There's also a brief moment where the bass gets room to stand out, which helps the instrumentation feel more complete. As the song develops, the breakdown becomes more interesting thanks to the restless percussion and the way the different rhythmic elements interact. This is where the EP begins to feel less predictable. Long Goodbye aren't simply playing faster or heavier; they're using changes in rhythm and texture to keep the listener engaged.

“gods waiting room” opens with the sort of deep riffs and harsh screams you'd expect from a traditional metalcore release, but the performance quickly demonstrates that the band can work with more than one level of aggression. The kick drums hit with serious weight, and the vocalist moves convincingly between sharp yells and lower, deathcore-adjacent growls. That shift gives the song additional heft without feeling like a forced attempt to sound more extreme. The riffs are dense, the transitions are effective, and the breakdowns have the kind of physical impact that makes you want to move rather than simply admire the technical execution. When the band slows everything down further, the heavier parts become even more effective. It's a straightforward song in many respects, but the arrangement is sufficiently varied to avoid feeling like a checklist of familiar metalcore moments.

The real highlight is “farewell from a fading transmission,” which reveals a more melodic and emotionally charged side of the band. Lighter guitar lines emerge between the heavier riffs, creating an interesting contrast with the deep drums and weighty grooves. The middle section pulls the tempo back before the band launches into another dense, aggressive passage, demonstrating a strong understanding of tension and release. What's particularly satisfying is how the slower guitar melodies eventually take center stage. They have a mournful quality that gives the song an emotional depth the preceding tracks only hint at. Soft vocals further strengthen that atmosphere, allowing the music to feel vulnerable without abandoning its heavier identity. The bass also seems to carry more weight here, helping connect the gentler sections with the crushing instrumentation that surrounds them. By the end, the song feels like a natural culmination of the EP rather than simply another track that needs to finish with a breakdown.

A Whispered Promise of Failure is a strong, concise release that demonstrates Long Goodbye's ability to balance traditional metalcore aggression with more intricate playing and atmospheric songwriting. The first track is competent but relatively familiar, while the following songs gradually reveal more personality through their rhythmic shifts, dynamic drumming and contrasting guitar textures. The final track is the standout, showing how effective the band can be when they give their melodic ideas enough room to develop. There are still moments where the overall sound feels rooted in established metalcore conventions, but the execution is consistently solid. At just under 13 minutes, the EP doesn't overstay its welcome, and its strongest moments leave me interested in hearing what Long Goodbye do next.