“I don’t want to be left behind.”
Channelling the unbridled ferocity so typical of Australian metalcore, Melbourne’s LUNE launched into the scene in 2020 with their debut EP, Ghost. An angry, brooding, and infectiously groovy sound characterised the release, solidifying their presence in the underground scene. Three years on, with a few standalone singles under their belt, the Australian outfit present their sophomore EP, The Change Around Us & The Change In You.
Those familiar with LUNE will know intimately their distinctively pissed-off style. Pulling from a number genre influences, from nu-metalcore to deathcore, and born from the ashes of I, Valiance and Blind Oracle, LUNE‘s aggressive quality should come as no surprise. Standalone single “Exit (Inward)”, released in 2021, is a particularly good reflection of this, yet only a teaser of what the band are really capable of.
Pre-release single and opening track “Progeny” took this solid foundation and doubled down on it with relentless riffage and rapid-fire kicks. The unmistakable groove keeps the track in familiar territory for the band, whilst finding space to incorporate new elements. Guitarist Krys Smith displays his range expertly, from the harmonic-laden breakdowns to the Polaris-esque lead lines. The track’s climax leaps boldly into death territory, with blast beats leading into high shrieks from vocalist Nathaniel Smith, which are borderline terrifying. Teased on “Exit (Inward)”, it was an excellent choice to give the upper end of his range a proper spotlight.
“Letting Go” continues the momentum, replete with headbang-worthy moments backed by an impressive amount of instrumental precision. “Left Behind” follows suit, as the band inject progressive metalcore influences into their sound. In doing so, they don’t ever compromise on the heaviness they are known for, instead striking a balance without one side overshadowing the other. A melancholic reflection on finding purpose in a jaded existence, the line, “find beauty in the blur with me,” poetically presents the concept. Garrett Russell of Silent Planet makes an appearance on the bridge, with his iconic, emotionally-charged style breathing even more life into the song. There really is no such thing as a Garrett Russell feature lacking impact.
This blend of old and new styles is accomplished consistently throughout The Change Around Us & The Change In You. “Winter Sun” treads further into progressive metalcore, driven by an almost overwhelming amount of riffs. The inclusion of clean choruses is yet again new territory for the band, and one of the EP’s best hooks resides here in the closer. The clean ambient break further drives home the emotion, and as it explodes into a heavy atmospheric passage, it’s evident LUNE don’t make songs that are heavy for the sake of it; there is purpose to their signature intensity.
“Memory Replays” brings back the angrier sentiment. While there are many modern metalcore tropes on display, they’re all employed intentionally and to great effect. An impressive solo by Smith, something not often heard from LUNE, makes the track stand out. Moments like this across the EP display a clear desire to innovate and evolve LUNE’s sound, and the mix provided by Buster Odeholm (alongside production from Jamie Marinos and percussive engineering from Lance Prenc) is strikingly clear.
The EP closes on a more melodic note. “Healers” leads with clean guitars and ambience over their usual heavy chugs, lending the track a sombre tinge. Moreover, it provides a taste of Nathaniel’s singing abilities, showing off regular cleans and scream-singing alongside his usual uncleans. The blast beats make a return, this time to drive the emotional direction of the song. Drummer Harrison Mills holds down the tempo admirably, with a satisfying drum tone to match.
With its emphasis on a more reflective sound, and the retrospective lyrics to match, The Change Around Us & The Change In You represents growth in many aspects. There is a lot to relate to in the lyrical content of the EP, dealing with change and strained relationships in manner that feels genuine. Sonically, LUNE have made a remarkable improvement. Though the style may be considered derivative of many prog-core influenced bands, LUNE spins it in their own unique way and presents a range previously unexplored.
8.5/10
The Change Around Us & The Change In You releases this Friday, November 10th, via Resist Records, and you can pre-order it here.