Seek Misery is a band that seems to have a knack for creating tension with their heavy riffs and guttural growls, but they also show a unique flair for the lighter, more atmospheric side of their sound. On their latest EP, the intensity is palpable, but the band's true potential emerges when they step away from the crushing heaviness and embrace softer, more melodic elements—albeit briefly.

From the opening track, "Romanticising Suicide," you’re immediately hit with a brutal, no-holds-barred approach. The riffing is disgustingly heavy, with mammoth drums and a bassline that rumbles beneath it all, providing an almost visceral sense of weight. The vocals here are raw and gritty, though not as clear or powerful as the music they’re paired with, which gives the song an intentionally murky, rebellious edge. There are some flashes of classic deathcore elements—pinch harmonics, breakdowns, and those signature weedly riffs—but what really stands out is the relentless energy. It’s simple, abrasive, and unapologetically heavy, making for an impactful intro to the EP.

However, things start to shift as the band explores their softer side. “Buried in Your Skin” stands out as the track that best exemplifies this. The clean backing vocals and haunting guitar riffs create a hauntingly beautiful contrast to the otherwise brutal sound of the EP. For a moment, you’re drawn into a more atmospheric space—something that feels almost ethereal. The moment these clean vocals and melodic guitar lines enter, they immediately elevate the track, adding depth and emotion. Unfortunately, these elements are fleeting, and the song quickly transitions back into heavier territory, leaving you wishing there was more exploration of these softer, more evocative parts. It’s a rare instance where the quieter, softer moments are more impactful than the brutal heaviness.

That sense of missed opportunity is especially noticeable on “Let the Angels Take Me.” The clean vocals return in the intro, but this time, they don't quite have the same emotional pull as before. The tone is still there, but the depth and haunting quality of the earlier track feel lost. The transition from soft to heavy here doesn't hit as hard or as emotionally compelling as it did in “Buried in Your Skin,” leaving the song feeling a bit disjointed. The clean vocals still add a nice touch, but the magic that made them stand out is no longer present. This seems to be a recurring theme throughout the EP: the band introduces fascinating elements—like clean vocals or more atmospheric passages—but doesn’t follow through on fully exploring them. It’s as if the band is teasing something bigger but never quite delivering.

The remaining tracks—“Lost” and “Let the Angels Take Me”—have their moments, but they don’t have the same punch. “Lost” follows a more djent-inspired path, with pinch harmonics and guitar slides that give it a heavy, mosh-worthy vibe, but it’s somewhat repetitive and lacks the unique flavor that could elevate it. The fast drumming and high-energy riffs are still there, but the song starts to feel a bit formulaic, lacking the edge that made the opening track so compelling. Vocally, they’re solid, but once again, the track feels like it doesn’t live up to its potential. The bold moments don’t hit as hard as they could, and the song doesn’t build in any meaningful way.

Production-wise, the EP is crisp and clean, with most of the tracks benefiting from a polished sound that allows the heaviness and subtle details to shine through. The mix does a great job of highlighting the crushing weight of the riffs while giving space for the atmospheric sections to breathe. The pacing is also tight, with the transitions between the heavier and lighter moments feeling smooth—though, at times, they leave you wanting more of the latter.

Ultimately, the major issue with Seek Misery's EP is that it feels like the band hasn’t quite found the balance between their crushing heaviness and the more delicate, emotionally charged elements they seem capable of. The moments where they explore lighter textures are often the most interesting, but they don’t commit to them long enough to truly explore their potential. If the band can figure out how to fuse their heavy and soft sides in a more cohesive way, they could carve out a unique niche in the deathcore scene—one that doesn't just rely on generic breakdowns and riffing but also taps into a more atmospheric, emotionally resonant sound.

For now, this EP is a glimpse of what could be, with some solid tracks and flashes of brilliance, but it ultimately leaves you wanting more—more exploration, more depth, more of what makes this band stand out. As it stands, Seek Misery definitely has the potential to do something special, but they need to dig deeper into the elements that make them unique rather than resting on what’s comfortable. It’s clear they’re capable of much more, and I’m excited to see where they go from here.