Will it end?

nightdive have a knack for making heavy music feel dreamy without sacrificing the weight of their guitars and bass. On This Will End, the Australian five-piece blend alternative metal, shoegaze textures, grungy riffs and atmospheric vocals into four tracks that move between emotional vulnerability and explosive heaviness. The EP is at its strongest when the band allows those contrasting elements to develop naturally, using soft vocals and distant guitars to establish a mood before bringing in the crushing rhythm section. The bass is a particular highlight, adding serious weight to the arrangements without making everything feel unnecessarily cluttered. Not every track reaches the same level, and some of the bigger moments feel less satisfying than their buildup suggests, but nightdive have a clear understanding of the atmosphere they want to create.

“Placate,” featuring st.sinner, is an excellent introduction to that sound. It opens with slow, washed-out guitars before the full band enters with thick bass, dynamic drums and additional guitar layers that give the music a dreamy quality. The clean vocals are surprisingly clear against the hazy instrumentation, creating an interesting contrast between the melodic delivery and the heavier foundation underneath. There's a slight pop-punk character to the singing, particularly when it sits above the deeper shoegaze-inspired instrumentation, while the lower shouted vocals in the chorus add another dimension. The riffs become bigger and grungier as the song progresses, eventually leading into a surprisingly heavy metal-oriented ending. Just when the arrangement threatens to settle into that heavier direction, the band pulls back into softer vocals and lighter instrumentation. That push and pull gives the track a satisfying flow, and the bass helps connect the different sections without losing the song's emotional character.

“Strange Apparition” takes a different approach, opening with soft, dismal synths and gentle percussion before introducing deeper electronic textures and the familiar weight of the bass. The vocals remain clear and prominent, but the instrumentation feels less dynamic than on the opener. The riffs have a straightforward, almost aggressive quality, and the drums don't bring the same variety to the arrangement. Unfortunately, the heavier sections don't deliver the impact the buildup promises. When the synths gradually intensify toward the end and the band finally reaches its big metal moment, the result feels surprisingly flat. A slower passage with chugging guitars and distorted vocal textures briefly gives the song a more interesting character, but it never fully recovers. It's not a terrible track, but it shows how atmospheric buildup alone can't guarantee a satisfying payoff.

“Burial” gets things back on track by leaning into the softer side of nightdive's sound. Eerie guitar textures and gentle vocals establish a relaxed, almost fragile atmosphere before the rhythm section gradually becomes more prominent. The riffs feel more compelling here, while the drums have greater presence and movement. The bass is especially effective, sounding enormous beneath the lighter guitars and giving the song a sense of scale that suits its emotional tone. When the chorus arrives, the music expands into something both heavy and strangely uplifting, as if the sadness and beauty of the arrangement are pulling in opposite directions. There's a genuine sense of feeling behind the performance, and the pacing allows the different elements to work together instead of competing for attention. The production also feels more natural here, with the hazy guitars and rhythm section complementing each other rather than forcing a dramatic contrast. It's one of the EP's strongest moments because nightdive trust the atmosphere instead of overloading it.

“Lonely Eyes” closes the EP with another slow, deliberate buildup. Soft guitar strums and a deep bassline establish a spacious, slightly eerie atmosphere before the drums gradually enter and give the song more structure. The vocals sound vulnerable and pained, fitting the EP's themes of loss, fear and isolation without becoming overly theatrical. The riffs gradually grow denser, and the band sounds particularly convincing when it settles into these slower, darker passages. The bass adds a sense of physical weight, while the lightly picked guitars create a more delicate texture above it. A faster, rock-oriented guitar solo arrives later in the song, offering a little contrast without completely disrupting the mood. The track eventually fades out slowly, providing a fitting conclusion rather than forcing another enormous climax. It's a strong finish that reinforces the band's ability to make restraint feel just as powerful as distortion.

This Will End is a solid release from a band that understands the importance of atmosphere, dynamics and a strong low end. “Placate” and “Burial” demonstrate how effectively nightdive can combine dreamy textures with heavier alternative metal, while “Lonely Eyes” closes things out with a more vulnerable, deliberate approach. “Strange Apparition” is the weaker link, lacking the same dynamic movement and payoff found elsewhere. Still, the EP is consistent enough in its overall sound to leave a positive impression. nightdive are at their best when they let the slower passages breathe and allow the heavier moments to arrive naturally. There's room to make the more aggressive sections as compelling as the atmospheric ones, but this is an engaging four-track release with plenty of emotional weight.