Half Hearted
Finding Light EP
There is no shortage of post hardcore or metalcore artists. There is a band out there for every type of listener – ranging from heavier groups like I Killed The Prom Queen to pop-influenced outfits like Alesana. With there being so many bands out there it can sometimes be difficult to find groups that stand out. If you’re the type who likes to beef up your music collection with a variety of core artists, then Half Hearted may be the next band you will want to add to your library.
Half Hearted are an unsigned five piece metalcore outfit hailing from Hartford, CT. They released their debut single as a band back in 2014 featuring guest vocals by Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills. Since the release of that single the band has worked diligently on producing more songs for their fans. Finding Light is their first EP and it features five previously unreleased songs.
Finding Light starts strong with the track “Sold Soul.” This song introduces the band, and what sound they are capable of. Unfortunately they lose a little bit of this momentum by the end of the EP, but if you can get into “Sold Soul” then you will likely dig the rest of the tracks. The band’s sound is reminiscent of early 2000s post hardcore (aka screamo). So if you like albums from that time from bands like Senses Fail, Blessthefall, Silverstein and like then you can expect to feel an odd sense of familiarity when you spin this EP.
The fourth track, “Burning Bridges,” starts off with a verse that I have personally heard numerous times in various forms since I began listening to metal and its subgenres. “I will never change” is one of those go to lines that’s easy for listeners to relate to so it’s a tad overused. They have a few clichéd lyrics throughout the EP, but this is the one that could have been left out and not had a negative impact on the overall flow of the song.
Overall, the unclean vocals are pretty solid – it’s a shame that they aren’t featured more in the EP. It would be great to hear the clean vocalist flex his range a little bit, as that would add an extra dynamic to their sound. It’s nice to be able to tell that there aren’t a ton of post-production effects added to the vocals though, which is something that runs rampant in the alternative music scene. There isn’t anything going on with the instruments that is particularly striking either. They sound pretty average for this genre of music, and I would love to hear a little bit more effort in making the guitars stand out more.
Finding Light is not a bad EP. The problem is that it’s not great either. If the band takes a little bit of time to develop their lyric writing skills and focus on delivery they have the capability of launching themselves into the mainstream metalcore scene. They’ve managed to garner an impressive following in their short time together, and if they continue to push forward and work hard they will surely secure themselves a place in the music scene long term.
Purchase Finding Light on iTunes.
