Metalcore is quite the saturated genre in 2023, with plenty of micro-genres of its own sprouting across. Melodic Metalcore has been one that has really had another bout in the past five years with the likes of Bad Omens, Holding Absence, Catch Your Breath, and countless others taking inspiration from the likes of Atreyu and more recently and notably, Bring Me The Horizon. 

Save Us is a brand new addition onto the scene with their debut EP, Lucid (Year Of The Rat Records). With members spanning across several countries, touring’s not been a strong option. Lucid is brand new, unheard of by anyone before, and clearly the band is aiming to make their mark on the scene from the first punch.

Keen to get started, the band don’t waste any time on the EP with instrumental introductions, opting to get straight into the music from the first drumbeat. The lifting guitar rhythm has elements of Holding Absence’s second album etched onto it, but with a somewhat slightly heavier take, the synths ebbing in the background do a lot to mark the band out from the familiarity of their peers. From the moment Miguel Owls’ vocals kick in, the picture is complete, incredible control of both highs and lows, reminiscent of TesseracT’s Daniel Tompkins in some areas. 

The opening track “Nightmare” gives Owls plenty of space to really stretch his legs and display the potential there, even with the last few seconds giving way for an almighty scream. 

The EP isn’t breaking down any genre conventionsm or bringing in brand new influences to add to the scene, but neither does it need to. The overall quality is of a band that has been doing this for several years, not as a first EP. The true power of the band comes together in their ability to make catchy hooks. This is perfectly showcased in the track “Endless”, the chorus being as much of an earworm as it is powerful, very similar to the likes of Bad Omens. The soaring melodies already transport you to the halls where you can envision the hundreds of fans singing every word straight back at the band.

For the first EP of this band’s career, there is an unmistakable presence of potential flowing through each verse. Hints of influences from various sides of the genre like Holding Absence and Bad Omens in the lyricism, like Erra in the guitarwork, show that the band are looking all over for where they can voyage next. As an opening offering,  Lucid is the perfect vessel to contain this as they work to cement their own sound. Give it a couple of years, and Save Us have all the potential to blow up in the scene.

Buy the album here:
https://saveus1.bandcamp.com/album/lucid-ep

7 / 10
CHARLIE HILL