“Load it up, fill the chamber while my head is spinning.“
Where to currently place nu-core as a genre seems to be one of contention. For a genre that has previously hit such highs with the likes of chaos.sequence, Graphic Nature and Starve, there is often a kick in the teeth around the corner, whether it be the bitterly disappointing Pincer+ record or another band calling it quits. There have been bright sparks of hope within all this, whether it be Break Fifty, or in this case, Convey. An act who have had their noses firmly up against the grindstone, trying and testing various elements on singles such as “FTC” and putting the hours in on the live circuit to see what connects. For those watching on, it has been of much anticipation to see when the next chapter will arrive. Convey have finally hit their stride on sophomore EP A Place In Hell For Us Both.
What is evident from the get-go is the beefed up production, showcased on the opener and initial single in “Eternal“. The touch of Sam Bloor has given Convey the harshness and expansiveness that their sound had needed. While not to take away from their quality, previous material had often sounded too thin to stand up to the hard-hitting nature that the songwriting was punching for. Now, across A Place In Hell For Us Both, Convey sound like the band they’ve always had in mind. Each growl and breakdown crunches in the ear, with the snare popping like a baseball bat to a dustbin.
There is a rawness to Convey that gives them an edge. While perhaps a blunt example in this day and age, it has the cutting style that drew so many to Emmure in previous years. The off-cut song structure and the menacing vocals feel akin to that which was found on the likes of Goodbye To The Gallows and Hindsight. This isn’t to say that is all Convey are: the likes of “Say It Again” proves to have the more ‘core mannerisms, with a chorus that chants “Say my name one more, you keep yours, and I’ll keep mine“, or “Death Rattle” throwing the record down a well of nu-metal chaos.
There is a grit in the teeth of Convey that pulls at the ear, with an intent in Gannon‘s vocals that feels like they’re about to reach out and throttle the listener. It is also evidently the work of a vocalist confident in their ability, delivering rapid and scrappy vocals that would make Convey a perfect addition to the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 soundtracks of years gone by. This is backed by the riffs delivered by Miles, switching between nu-metal styled riffs that demand to be headbanged to, as shown on the aforementioned “Say It Again“, and the pure metalcore fury of closer “Severed“. Simply put, there is a sheer ferociousness to each track from back to front that will carve itself into the cranium.
For those who have stuck with nu-core throughout its trials and tribulations, Convey showcase another reason that the genre is still in good health. A Place In Hell For Us Both has the mark of a record that has had years of thought and effort put into it, which is shown at its best on the likes of “Masquerade” and “Severed“. Now that Convey have wrangled their sound and production, the next stepping stone will be to see how they can experiment and advance it. Yet for now, there is much to indulge in on A Place In Hell For Us Both, and it is one we look forward to seeing in a live setting.
7.5/10
A Place In Hell For Us Both is out February 18th.