ANNALYNN - Failure Will Find Me (EP Review)

ANNALYNN - Failure Will Find Me Released: May 24th, 2024Line-up:Nathapon 'Bon' Jutathaveewan | vocalsNuttapop ' Pob' Cheunsuktananun | guitar, backing vocalsSupatchaya 'Boss' Sompong | guitarEakaratch Kaewsomdej | bassNattbhol Larp-ar-parat | drumsOnline:FacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Dominating the South East Asian metal scene for the better part of the last two decades, Thai metalcore act ANNALYNN became known to Australian audiences in 2023. Becoming the second international signing to Greyscale Records and touring the country with Void of Vision on the Aussie leg of their DAS ENDE Tour - fans fell in love with their brand of metalcore. Back with their first extended release since 2021, the Failure Will Find Me EP, mixed and mastered by Lance Prenc (Alpha Wolf, Polaris, Void of Vision) marks the next phase in their journey. As a long-term fan, this is the most excited I’ve been to review an EP in years so let’s dive in.The four-track release starts with their recently released single ‘Circle The Flame’. Crushingly heavy, it has managed to retain the signature ANNALYNN sound while pushing the envelope on the melodic side. The nu-metal-ish samples combined with that classic metallic hardcore energy create an interesting dynamic. From the choir-like vocal samples to the understated riffs of the guitars- there are layers upon layers of intricacies that help build the track into the solid force that it powers through the speakers with. Drummer Nattbhol Larp-ar-parat is one of the heroes of this release, giving us fills that push this track from solid to anthemic. Lyrically, it is dark. Delving into themes of searching for the meaning of existence- frontman Nathapon ‘Bon’ Jutathaveewan’s brutal delivery captures the angst and aggression that these lyrics require.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c3b4tvVsbkBlending seamlessly from the opener, ‘Bathed In Sin’ comes out of nowhere. On first listen it took my breath away. It follows a standard metalcore song structure, but perfects it beyond belief. Since their previous album A Conversation With Evil, the band has been experimenting with the use of clean vocals and it is throughout this track they have nailed it. The juxtaposition between Bon’s growls and guitarist Nuttapop ‘Pob’ Cheunsuktananun’s clean vocals creates a rollercoaster of emotion. This vocal styling is recreated through the way the guitars and the rhythm section play off each other. Channelling progressive metal and mathcore licks along the backdrop of sturdy bass and drums; it sounds as if every note has intention. The breakdown is the most diverse on the EP, with Bon’s renowned gutturals taking front and centre. Thematically, it dips into classic ANNALYNN territory of using religious symbolism- giving credence to the struggle behind finding meaning in life that the previous track also references. ‘Bathed In Sin’ is the strongest track on the EP and will be a treat for anyone who takes the time to go beyond the singles.

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This makes an unfortunate placing for [019001], in comparison it does not hold the same weight. By no means is it a bad song, on the contrary, but its role in Failure Will Find Me differs from the other three. It is three minutes of heavy, snarling metalcore that does the job of proving that despite ANNALYNN delving into more melodic songwriting styles, they have not lost the bite that long-term fans would have grabbed onto throughout the years. It is easy to bang your head to and gives us a tasty little breakdown. The tiny electronic drum interlude that concludes the song feels a little out of place and inhibits the flow from [019001] to the next, but again, these are just tiny gripes. Perhaps, I have been a little spoilt by their previous releases, as I was hoping for a little more from this track and am looking for more faults than I need to.It’s been almost a year since ‘Disappear’ was released and it features as the finale of the EP. It has been dubbed as part of the more ‘frantic’ current core styles, but despite this, there is such a tightness to the way it is structured. Interestingly, it features at the end, as when listening to the rest, it is as if this was the launchpad for the current sonic evolution of ANNALYNN. The main riff is insanely catchy, the samples give it that tinge of anxious energy that is discussed in the lyrics and the sing-a-long sections provide a moment for the listener to connect with the song. Of course, we cannot go past the breakdown- those gutturals are simply nasty. Leaving you breathless as it thunders through, the way it trickles into the final chorus is masterful. In the final moments of Failure Will Find Me, the vocals fade into complete silence- giving you the time you need to fully absorb the modern metalcore mastery that you just heard.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXKhza2IRxcThis EP is the strongest of their releases to date. It has not hit us with anything completely new, rather it has taken snippets of a range of heavy music influences and expertly channelled them into what can be described as pure songwriting prowess. There is a reason this band has lasted over two decades- it is their ability to adapt to current sounds without losing their identity. Calling it now, this band is going to take over the world.

ANNALYNN – Failure Will Find Me tracklisting1. Circle The Flame2. Bathed In Sin3. [019001]4. DisappearRating: 9.5/10Failure Will Find Me is out May 24th via Greyscale Records. Pre-Order/Save here.Review by Kayla Hamilton@kaylazomboid