Samsara
Bloodlines EP
(Self-Release)
For a young band, Samsara have a fantastic understanding of how thin the line is between good and bad metalcore in 2016. This Arizona group isn’t concerned with carving out the most unique take on the style. By now, it’s almost impossible not to feel slightly derivative, but this short, effective EP is still a winner. The band’s sound falls somewhere in between August Burns Red’s melodic technicality, Fit For A King’s mix of soaring cleans and southern groove, and The Ghost Inside’s passionate breakdowns. The EP is a collection of thoughts from vocalist Dan Croutch’s struggles with addiction, loss, and depression, which make the record’s lows and highs feel like Croutch’s personal peaks and valleys. It lends a greater weight to these not-exactly-innovative jams. Samsara do just about everything well: there are actual, interesting riffs on here; the choruses are legitimately catchy, and the breakdowns are perfectly fine. The result is a passionate, punishing EP from these promising upstarts.
