REVIEW: Steadfast / No Fealty by End It All

Previously named 'High Rise Estate', 'End It All' are a five piece metal core/hardcore band from Perth, Australia. This release is the bands first since deciding to switch their name and is only two songs long meaning they don't give you a lot of time to get to know them well if you haven't listened to their prior release.

To put it bluntly, this release isn't to my taste. It doesn't have many catchy elements to it or striking grooves either. It feels like blast beat after blast beat, with maybe time for a two step in between. It's fast paced and very chaotic but not the kind that draws me in and makes me want to hear more or even mosh. 'Stead Fest' is the better of the two songs which does have riffs that I did enjoy but it never seemed to stay for long enough- it was always interrupted by chaos again.

Saying that, this release isn't the worst i have ever heard. The lyrics are well written and deeply emotive, for starters. As well, the production is impressive along with the vocals which are hoarse and do compliment the skilled riffs laid out by the guitarists. The band as a whole seem as though they would be incredibly tight live and would get the crowd moving with regular two step beats for them to flood the floor with. I unfortunately think this release was lost on me. I ultimately felt as though nothing new was brought to the table but I do think that it has the potential to definitely grow on me if I were to listen to it a few more times.

Since they only have one other song released it may be that they are yet to find their footing and are yet to understand what works best for them musically and genre wise. But taking a step back from being highly critical and picky, this is the bands first releases under their brand new name and for a first release it's good- it doesn't sound like it was recorded in their mates shed, they all sound incredibly versed in their skills and I think it can only go onwards and upwards for 'End it all'. The songs themselves may not be to my taste, but everything else about the release is polished off well so it's not all bad, aye?

By Amy Demidow