“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. While 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, which was 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 on that sound to give it 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. With each growl and breakdown crunching at 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 offcut 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, with the likes of “Say It Again” having the more ‘core mannerisms, with a chorus that chants away at “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 teeth that pulls in Convey to the ear, with an intent to Gannon‘s vocals that feels like they’re about to reach out and throttle the listener. It is also evidently a vocalist confident in their ability, delivering rapid and scappy vocals that would make Convey a perfect addition to the 2007 Raw vs Smackdown soundtrack of years gone by. This backed by the riffs delivered by Miles, switching between nu-metal styled riffs that demand to be headbanged along to as shown on the aforementioned “Say It Again”, or that of pure metalcore fury on closer “Severed“. Simply, there is a sheer ferociousness to each track from back to front that will carve itself into the ear.
For those who have stuck with nu-core throughout its trails 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 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 one we look forward to seeing in a live setting.
7.5/10
A Place In Hell For Us Both is out February 18th.