Album/EP

LUNE - The Change Around Us & The Change In You (EP Review)

Walladmin

Heavy Metal Wordsmith

Nov 7, 2023

7 min read

LUNE - The Change Around Us & The Change In You
Released: November 10th, 2023

Line-Up:

Nathaniel Smith | Vocals
Krys Smith | Guitar
David Freeland | Bass
Harrison Mills | Drums

Online:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Website

After a remarkably auspicious beginning to their career, Melbourne-based metalcore outfit, LUNE has continued to prosper throughout the last four years which has led to them becoming the local powerhouse they are today. From the moment we caught their debut performance, we at Wall of Sound HQ were convinced that this group had a bright future ahead of them. Their unique, technically focused sonic environment is something that instantly separated them from an ocean of cookie-cutter metalcore acts.

The band's recent signing to Resist Records signifies further growth for the group who can now call themselves label mates with artists such as Polaris, Mirrors and Pridelands. The group's short, four-year-long history has seen the five-piece enjoy continual advancement, but can their first studio release since 2021's single 'Factory Fires/Funeral Pyre (Outward)' match the progression we could expect from such a fast-rising act? Let's get into it and find out!

As I press play on the opener, I am familiarly greeted with the single 'Progeny'. This heavy-hitter further pushes this EP's pace into fifth gear with the high-intensity drumming and guitar work, particularly throughout the mid-section, where guitarist Smith delivers a perfectly executed guitar solo. Vocalist Smith spends the majority of the song bouncing back and forth between his differing styles of vocals, although notably, throughout the track's outro, Smith pushes his vocal range to the limit with his impressive highs and lower-than-hell lows, proving why he is a key player in the next generation of Australian heavy music.

Aggressive grunting from vocalist Smith takes us into 'Letting Go' while layered guitars backed by the impressive drumming of Harrison Mills take effect immediately. Nate continues to spit venom into the mic during the verses, then once again shows off his awe-inspiring cleans throughout the chorus. A technically driven guitar solo backed by the repeated lyrics "No-one's coming to save you" has me completely adrenalized before the tempo of the instrumentals slows momentarily, giving Smith his own brief moment in the limelight as he fulfils the highest of expectations with a grand display of his clean singing, portraying the lyrics "You were someone I wanted to save/but I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear". Briskly, we are returned to the fast-paced, low-tuned sound we know and love this group for with the powerfully displayed unclean lyrics "You have a lot to say but nothing to show/that's why I'm letting go" taking us into the long, half-paced, heavy concluding breakdown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPG8OKsc5I8

The tempo is pushed higher throughout the introduction to the recently released single 'Left Behind' with low-tuned, guitars delicately leading the charge while complimenting the raw emotional vocals of Smith which carry lyrics that explore finding a sense of self after tragedy strikes. The technical prowess of guitarists Krys Smith and David Freeland is utterly stupendous, nothing they seem to do is unsuitable, unfitting or out of place, which creates an exceptionally enjoyable listening experience.

The addition of guest vocalist Garrett Russell from U.S metalcore group, Silent Planet adds a contrast to Smiths' vocals which is more than welcomed. Russell's pitch and tone leave space for the listener to grasp the delicate lyricism which encapsulates the emotions of both hopelessness and hopefulness authentically with lines such as "The world is so uncertain, I'm suffocated by the grief as I take on all the suffering of the world surrounding me. You showed me hope through the melody that pulled me out of misery. When all I heard was doubt and all the weight of all our tragedies, you gave me purpose, a voice again, an escape from the grey," which further adds a great amount of depth to the true meaning. Russell's appearance is nonpareil, which leaves me questioning how the boys will replicate the uniqueness of Russell’s addition when performing on stage without him. Concluding the track is a slow-paced breakdown with the addition of backing synths, which is an interesting dynamic that seemingly works flawlessly.

'Winter Sun' lasts a whopping 4:48. This mellifluous closer seemingly takes influence from the dynamics used throughout the EP in earlier tracks, including both the heavy and the melodic characteristics that this group loves displaying. Taking this song to completion is the impressive drum fills from Mills, the multi-instrumentalist creates space for him to flourish within, without taking away from the effort of the other band members - this is a cohesive effort that gives each individual the opportunity to shine in their own right.

The EP closes out with 'Healers', commencing with a sorrowfully soft guitar tune performed by Krys Smith, which quickly transforms into a beefy melody with the introduction of bassist David Freeland and drummer Harrison Mills. I have always held Nathaniel Smith in high regard as a vocalist, however, I find myself to be purely amazed by the vocalist as we indulge in the climax. How he transitions between his superbly executed and well-defined clean and unclean vocals is something to be envied by metalcore vocalists around the globe. Chuggy instrumentals with refined technicality, as well as the introspective and expressive lyricism of "You have yourself to forgive and your whole life left to live. I've forgiven myself of all that I've been through, this is the change around us, and the change in you," leaves a powerful impression on me as I'm left with a burning desire to immerse myself with another spin of the EP.

Poetically driven lyricism integrated with instrumentals which are rooted in technical proficiency is just one of many strengths that this group beholds. This six-track offering demonstrates why this group haven't simply 'lucked out' with their success so far, but rather it has been earned through hard work, dedication and incredible demonstrations of musicianship and songwriting. I for one am excited to hear these songs played in bigger venues as this group continues to grow at an unusually fast rate.