23rd April 2023

Review: “Self Titled” by Black Coast

Kings of the Underground, Stoke natives Black Coast have been a growing concern since 2016’s “Crows Of The North” appeared, blurring the lines between Hardcore, Grunge and Nu-Metal with increasing imagination in a five year journey to their debut full length “Outworld” in 2021. That received critical acclaim while amassing the better part of 334k of Spotify streams alone, taking the band to hitherto previously unreached new heights. 18 months on they’ve chosen to follow it up with a self titled EP produced, recorded and mixed by Sam Bloor (Outlander, Cauldron, Psyence) at Lower Lane Studios and mastered by Grant Berry (Boston Manor, Ithaca, Static Dress) at Fader Mastering, leaving us wondering just how they could surpass what some called their magnum opus…

…creating an urgent sense of tension before bringing some serious bounce “Real (are you listening?)” announces the bands self titled EP as if they never left the studio after recording their album. Fierce and energetic, the performance of vocalist Charlie Hewitt gives the first half of the track the necessary cut and thrust before an elegant melodic break allows a final chorus to bite back like a rabid dog. “Chains” then changes the mood with the swirling darkness of Alice In Chains perpetrated by bursts of heaviness with a real swagger and verve, the introspective lyrics resonating as much as the riffs call the mosh pit. The musicianship is slick, the band full of creativity and placing moments of nuance into each cut that pop out of the mix over multiple listens. Little moments of style shift, programming and melody that the brain simply doesn’t compute at first glance. Delicate but not a ballad, “Sex” is a bold and brave melodic jewel that finds Hewitt in a sultry mood. Behind him the band craft with influence from Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam, proving that there is more to their armoury than meets the eye. A riff reminiscent of Wes Borland’s work on cuts like “Hold On” from Limp Bizkit is at the heart of “Mercy“, the band building upon it to compliment the aching and emotive lyric that Hewitt has created. A stunning piece that balances atmosphere with a punch of aggression, it brings together all the pieces of the puzzle to Black Coast perfection as they sound like a well oiled machine. The quality is simply undeniable and you can’t help but feel that the band are one of those who should be snapped up by a label and touring the globe with Landmvrks. “No One” throws down the gauntlet with an ear worm riff from pitch shifting guitars and thunderous drums which create pile driving rhythms and make it worthy of a self titled record, the stomp-y finale a master stroke. Infectious an groove laden this is a gem of an EP that will keep you coming back for more [8/10]