20th November 2023

Review: “Lifeline” by Continents

“Lifeline is about being giving another chance and failing at suicide……don’t let the sadness and intrusive thoughts win. The artwork has a concept with 6 meanings. We’ve created a ghost figure as a simple way to represent six quite difficult concepts in mental health. The smiling mask represents the fake smile of a narcissist and the idea of smiling to hide depression, the ghost is both about being haunted by trauma and social anxiety by hiding under a sheet, and the lantern represents both gaslighting and a lamp to find your way out of the darkness.

I wrote the lyrics for the over-thinkers and how words can hurt and affect people in so many different ways. Ultimately, people need to remember that, however you perceive others, you will not know what’s going on in their mind. I’ve been facing these feelings/demons in my chest for years and I’ve spent the last 15 years of my life trying to be more open, but I have so many self-worth issues at times and intrusive thoughts that my head will always win” ~ Philip Cross, vocals

A decade ago Welsh Metalcore outfit Continents rose to prominence with their 2013 debut album “Idle Hands“, a savage affair with Metallic Hardcore roots and a monsterous hit in “Pegasus, Pegasus” which is fast approaching 600k of Spotify and YouTube streams combined. The 10th Anniversary of that record was celebrated at a sold out show at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff, a venue upgrade having been required to meet the demand. Five years signed to US label Victory Records saw them unleash the seemingly Every Time I Die inspired album “Reprisal” in 2015 while allowing them to share stages with everyone from The Ghost Inside to Cancer Bats and Emmure to The Word Alive. Not all that glitters is gold however and the band called time on their career in 2019… only to return in 2022 rejuvenated with a pair of singles in “Bad Blood” and “Clarity“.

The adrenalized sound Metallic Hardcore that has been Continents stock in trade since the beginning is present and correct with opening cut “Gaslighter“, the razor sharp riffs and bombastic bassline having pit starting attitude but there is now another layer to the Welsh outfits offering. Embellished by programming that steals a page from Progressive Metalcore and Eleconicore bands like Architects, Northlane or early Palisades, this one also has an arena sized verse and a ice cold moment to add to the heat. That continues into “Hurricane” which has a main riff that borders on DJent as it burns, Cross giving baring his soul with the introspective personal lyrical narrative while the band provide a soundscape that soars. The rap screams are impressive, the decision to embrace a border sound and get more creative with their offering paying off in part thanks to the gritty nature of this new music, the raw and emotive quality of the lyrics paired with music that carries it impressively well. Title track “Lifeline” takes things a shade darker as Cross screams in pure catharsis, the odd time signatures in the drum patterns and ice cold synths building into Nu-Metalcore inspired powerhouse breakdown section that is an absolute wrecking ball to the skull. A half way house between Metallic Hardcore and Nu-Metalcore, “Gritted Teeth” completes evolution with murderous intent as the flow of heavier riffs flows from the volcano like lava and the pulverising rhythm section does serious damage. Cross also brings a strong chorus “So give me reason to let you live!” giving this one that scream-a-long ability that we all know and love. They may have been pronounced dead but after a shot of pure adrenaline, the corpse of Continents has been resurrected before it could be bagged and tagged and on this evidence there is plenty more where that came from [8/10]

Track Listing