Review: “Old Belief | New Despair” by Copse

One of those projects that surfaced in part as a by-product of having free time and idle hands during the great plague years (and might have feared would sputter out when things returned to somewhere approaching normal), Copse sharing a sophomore record is a welcome surprise. For those that don’t know the ancient history, 2020 saw guitarists and work colleagues Phil Vernon and Craig Mallard exchange musical ideas. They then recruited bassist Rob Collier, drummer Ryan Westwood and vocalist Ed Garrood-Gibbs (Devil Sold His Soul) to complete the material which was then released as “Mara | Mondrem“, combining elements of Black and Post Metal with Screamo and Shoegaze. As with that first dip of the toes into the cold dark waters, their sophomore release “Old Belief | New Despair” was record was produced, mixed and mastered at Bandit Studios by Jonny Renshaw (The Elijah, Blood Youth, Rinoa). If it ain’t broke…

There is a majesty about the gentle warm glow of “•” as it builds in stunning fashion, soaring like an Eagle while simultaneously weighted by a sense of dark melancholia. The beauty of the piece is jaw dropping as it introduces “Old Belief” which develops the sound underneath the crushing weight of screams from Garrood-Gibbs and thunderous percussion from Collier. Exposing Black Metal roots further, the song distantly echoes bands like Harakiri for the Sky by infusing it with moments emanating from Post-Hardcore with rich, dark melodies that forge a real emotional connection. Continuing to stir the soul, “New Despair” is an epic tour de force that approaches the fifteen minute milestone as if it were nothing, growing from an ember to an inferno as it plays out. Garrood-Gibbs aching clean vocals pull on the heart strings, his lyrics resonating against lush soundscape with the ache of knowing real pain. They than transcend into emotive screamed vocals as the band turn up the heat, creating a stunning sense of theatre that reflects the movements found within classical music, Collier cathartically blasting his way through extended passages before offering up some incredible almost tribal fills. All the while the beauty of the guitar work is all consuming and immersive, forging something that is uplifting as well as awe inspiring, like waves crashing upon the rocks on a winter shoreline during a storm [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. •
2. Old Belief
3. New Despair

“Old Belief | New Despair” by Copse is out via Church Records on 11th August 2023 and is available over at bandcamp