The Hiatus Flux, a progressive metalcore outfit from Bloomington, Ind., has rolled up it sleeves and put its work boots on to give release a new EP, "Fire Starter," that could best be described as complexity in its sincerest form.
For those who are not familiar with progressive metalcore, it can be summed up as the combination of elements from metal and elements from hardcore punk, pushing musical boundaries with innovative ideas and techniques. Odd time-signatures, technical riffs and adding elements from other genres not typically associated metal and hardcore are just a few of the things that can make up progressive metalcore. Basically, it takes the usual standards of metalcore and blasts them into another dimension.
Many of the bands associated with this genre often try to shove in as many technical riffs, abrupt time-signature shifts and complete randomness just for the sake of doing so.
Not The Hiatus Flux.
Everything the band does is done to further the journey of the songs and not to be technically impressive for the sake of being technically impressive.
Nick Mosier, keyboardist, said he was very pleased on how it turned out.
"I think it came out well after going over the details so much while we were writing and recording it," Mosier said.
"Fire Starter" feels natural and organic - something many metalcore acts often lack. The album introduction opens with a beautifully sweeping piano, to let the listener know that this is not just a collection of songs, it is an experience. The piano fades away and then "Sunset" kicks in, which leans towards more of the progressive elements that are present in many of the current hardcore acts, such as Misery Signals and Shai Hulud. Another highlight of the album is the track "Snake," which could be perfectly described as the offspring of Botch and The Dillinger Escape Plan. The track is a perfect example of what chaotic mathcore should sound like - it can be dirty, it can be pretty and, more importantly, it can just be pure ear candy.
Lyrically, the EP expands upon a concept that was started in its first album, "_Anecdote." The vision and focus of this band is astounding. Not only are they pushing boundaries instrumentally, but they have taken upon it themselves to focus the lyrics around a certain concept that will also be continued in the band's next album.
The vocalist of the band, Tyler Morris, said he feels the lyrics have a very personal feel, which makes it easier for the listener to identify with.
"It's a lot more personal for me with the lyrics and everything," Morris said. "I brought a lot of my own personal experiences into this and wanted to release my negative emotions and things like that."
Overall, "Fire Starter" leans to more of the hardcore side of things than the previous release, "_Anecdote," but the slight shift is a welcome one.
The band's bassist, Rick Pruett, believed that both albums are very important to look at in comparison to each other.
"If you compare the two, you can definitely tell where we've come from and a hint at where we're going in terms of our musical style and the ability to play our instruments," Pruett said.
The Hiatus Flux is still pushing the bounds of creativity with its intelligent and innovative approach to songwriting. Keep your eyes and ears on these guys in the future, I promise you will not regret it.
"I want them to find [themselves] emotionally attached," Pruett said. "To care about the same things we care about and to understand the point we are trying to convey, which is that things aren't always easy and there will be those trying to tell you what to do."
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