“Waves of emotion, lakes of rain have fallen.”
Having only emerged this year, SAVE US are already off to a running start. They debuted on Year Of The Rat Records with “Nightmare” in early August, and have been steadily working their way to their first EP, Lucid. The transatlantic band features members from both the UK and the US, and consists of vocalist Miguel Owls, guitarist Benji Havercroft, bassist Aidan Puncy, and drummer Chris Biddiscombe.
Heavily influenced by a myriad of genres, the sound of SAVE US can be described as atmospherically anthemic. With a heavy emphasis on ambient guitars blended with floaty synth work, they seek to create an emotional experience while exploring themes of the human condition. Vocally, they lean heavily into creating massive chorus hooks to drive the impact they hope to achieve.
The previously mentioned “Nightmare” opens the EP, bringing the emotionally-charged vocals to the forefront immediately. Owls’ soaring vocals compliment the heavy ambience of the instrumentals, a texturally layered wall of sound. The track takes many cues from the more accessible takes on modern metal, a rather well-executed form of the style.
The EP takes on a heavier direction on follow-up track “Haunt”, with punchy riffs and cyber synths reminding of Northlane’s Alien. Launching into a groovy breakdown mid-track, SAVE USdisplay an impressive range. The band also display their relatability in the lyrics, reflecting on the nature of dealing with mental health issues.
“Shadows smothering the night, spreads like venom in my mind. And I will never understand, how these nights can feel so cold.”
Most of the EP follows in this heavy, pop-influenced direction. The main standout feature is the consistent atmosphere that envelops each track, filling the space and making each track feel whole. The intermittent heavy moments hardly feel forced, adding a touch of catharsis where necessary. “New Light” is a great example of this. Even though its instrumentation can sound Breaking Benjamin-esque at points, the injection of these modern elements helps the track to develop its own identity. The result is a track that is satisfying, despite its seemingly basic structure.
“Distance” takes the EP to an emotional peak, stripping back the heavier instrumentation of its prior tracks and delivering a more post-hardcore leaning track. Owls’ vocals really do shine here, artfully navigating between intensities and captivating my ears. The EP thus far has displayed an impressive degree of range, utilizing many of the same techniques in varying manners to create a different experience on each track.
Closer “Drift” takes on a bouncy, djent-influenced sound laced with melancholy. The low-tuned riffs layered with an infectious synth melody are a combo that’s hard to ruin, and SAVE US utilize it excellently. The riff work by Havercroft get proper time in the spotlight here, driving the groovy nature of the track. The earworm hooks the EP has featured have all been effective, but they’re, in my opinion, most potent on this track.
The scene is rife with a plethora of bands who claim to reinvent the wheel, yet drive out the same tired vehicle of accessible modern metal as many before them. I can confidently say that SAVE US is not one of these bands. Lucid is an excellent display of the band’s passion and talent, able to supersede the tropes of modern metal to create an experience that is impactful and heartfelt, both sonically and lyrically. Playing to each members’ strengths, the EP’s ambition is realised and the result is something meaningful, yet not hard to absorb. There is a lot of promise for SAVE US as they continue to hone in on their strengths and refine their craft with a debut this strong.
8/10
Lucid releases on the 8th of December via Year Of The Rat Records, and you can pre-order the EP here.