It’s not enough to say the words
Copse are a fledgling black metal project out of Bristol. They currently only have a small footprint, with just one other EP out and a few shows under their belt. They’ve shared the stage with other underground metal acts like Calligram, Gloomweaver, and Dawn Ray’d. This release is well timed as the band are playing the fabled ArcTanGent in just a week’s time. Furthermore, this release sees their screamo influence truly emerge, and improves on their first EP, confirming that they’re a band worth watching closely.
The EP begins with a frigid instrumental intro (“.”). Clean guitars gently pluck toward the record’s theme whilst a lead guitar summons feedback from the distance. Entirely fitting, but not the true meat of the record. The single “Old Belief” introduces the band’s style, with soaring guitars, crisp and precise drums, and full-bodied screams. The obligatory blast-beat intro gives way to a riffy segment with deliberately uneven phrasing. The track’s second half is a classic blackened screamo outro, constantly surging with tragedy and triumph. It’s a solid song, but the band’s ambitions are grander on this release.
The next, and final track, is “New Despair”, a massive 15 minute monster that is a contender for best metal epic of the year. It’s a track whose trajectory you really feel throughout, as it moves forward gradually and with purpose. “New Despair” features the band’s first clean vocals, and they clearly intonate in a 00’s emo style that I’m very much down for. Next to the black metal aesthetics the band practices, this inclusion is truly refreshing.
When the harsh vocals resume near the 7 minute mark, the emotional impact feels enough to bring the song to a natural finish. That’s just where the track’s true power begins, blast beats and melodic trem-picked lines galore. The triumphant energy doesn’t let up – it’s like climbing a mountain and turning to see the view become more and more beautiful with every step. Unlike most black metal epics, it’s at least medium in intensity throughout; no acoustic diversions or drone segments are used to change the pace. Mileage will vary on whether the song is varied enough for its length, but I wouldn’t take a moment out of it, particularly as it bookends their first two EPs so well.
This is certainly a must-listen for fans of atmospheric and emotive black metal – of course, Envy and early Deafheaven, Respire, plus bands who take the “epic” approach in most of their songs (Wolves in the Throne Room or Somn, for example). With strong production, the only pill to swallow is the unusual mix of track lengths, which can be smoothed by listening to the two EPs in order. I hope to see more releases from the band, particularly where they explore clean vocals further.
8/10
Old Belief | New Despair releases through Church Road Records on Friday 11th August, and can be pre-ordered at the label website or Bandcamp.