The scenes of "Red" painted by this slam band, Pulse, are a little rough around the edges, but with more practice, they could certainly improve. The band does a commendable job of blending various genres such as death metal, grindcore, and groove metal, but the execution is uneven. Some tracks demonstrate success in these styles, while others still require refinement.

The EP opens on a slightly clunky note, with some production issues that detract from the experience. The first full song, "Eye Socket Orgy," suffers most from these flaws. The riffs here are incredibly loud, to the point that they drown out the rest of the band, leaving the track feeling unbalanced. Additionally, the song’s repetitive structure causes it to feel somewhat monotonous and clunky, and the lack of bass further weakens its impact.

However, as the EP progresses, both the production and songwriting show significant improvement. The riffs gradually become groovier, and their volume is dialed back, giving the tracks more depth. For example, "Home Invasion" and "No Anesthetic" feature dissonant, menacing riffs that are far less overwhelming and allow for a more enjoyable groove and bounce. By the time we reach "Scalp Altar," the riffs are notably beefier, adding to the overall heaviness of the track.

The drumming also evolves as the EP continues. The drummer brings in more dynamics, incorporating playful yet heavy elements. Blast beats and snappy rhythms on tracks like "Beaten Beyond Death" contribute to the band's raw power. I particularly enjoy how the drummer uses the cymbals creatively to inject life into the track, making it more engaging. On "Scalp Altar," the drummer switches to a punk-inspired style, adding a refreshing twist to the band’s sound.

The bass, which had been lacking earlier in the EP, makes a more prominent and satisfying appearance on tracks like "Rivers of Entrails" and "No Anesthetic." While the bass playing is solid, at times it either feels absent or a little clunky, which holds the band back from achieving a fuller sound.

Vocally, the band does a great job of maintaining a heavy, brutal presence with deep, unclean growls. There are some standout moments, like the pig squeals in "No Anesthetic" and the frog-like squeals in "Beaten Beyond Death," both of which sound fantastic and add to the overall intensity. However, the megaphone-style vocals on "Beaten Beyond Death" are jarring, disrupting the song's pacing. Additionally, the vocals can sometimes feel muffled, which detracts from their clarity and impact.

Production-wise, the EP still has some rough spots. The instruments aren’t always layered effectively, with the guitars sometimes overpowering the other elements, particularly the vocals, which can feel buried. At times, the overall mix feels chaotic, with a lack of clarity between the various parts. While the sample clips used throughout the EP do help create a darker atmosphere, they aren’t as memorable or impactful as they could be, like the eerie cicada noises before "Home Invasion."

Pulses is clearly striving to be unique among their contemporaries, trying to carve out a distinctive sound. While they stumble in a few areas, there’s potential here. With some more refined production and tighter songwriting, they could create something much more nuanced and polished in the future. They just need to continue honing their craft.