A band’s first EP is their moment to shine; it’s their chance to reel new listeners to get invested in one of the most exciting times in their career. The Human Veil looks to do just that with their debut Fractures after a busy two years of singles and playing shows in their native England with the likes of Betraying the Martyrs, Bad Omens, and more. This EP stretches for 16 minutes so here’s hoping it’s short-but-sweet!
If there’s any strong first impressions to be had, it’s that The Human Veil’s music videos and single artwork are damn impressive. The visual aesthetic is nailed, but does the music follow suit? Thankfully, it hangs on with some pretty powerful tracks on Fractures. “Faceless God” is pretty run-of-the-mill metalcore, but the title track shows a more comprehensive grasp of the genre with boisterous riffs and well-thought-out composition. The clean vocals have some grit to them, and the uncleans show some range.
When “Fractures” inserted a tempo-change breakdown after its bridge, that’s when The Human Veil started to catch my ear and show they’re not just another local band. The production job on Fractures gives the oomph to the band’s sound that the genre necessitates. “8612”‘s fast pace and bounciness makes for another re-playable track. Peeping more into the press notes, I’ve discovered the lyricism throughout the EP is inspired by Hannibal Lecter, capturing a correlation of his harrowing tale and how it relates to current events. Adding some complexity to the mix makes releases like this a tad more memorable and not redundant.
All in all, The Human Veil has ample potential with their debut in Fractures. A quick listen, it’s not redefining the wheel, but has all the moving parts a band’s early stages need to make a name for themselves. Expect plenty of breakdowns, passionate vocals, and sweet riffs from The Human Veil’s Fractures.
Rating: 7/10
A press copy of Fractures was provided courtesy of Elicit Music.
