Review: “The Search for Permanence” by Downpour

Richard Lardner, Jesse Brock, Mitch Young and Isaac Barton are better known as Downpour, a Melodic Hardcore crew hailing from Bristol. They announced themselves to an unsuspecting world with 2024 single “Losing Grip“, having formed a  year earlier from the ashes of a pair of much loved bands in Lock & Key and We Struck Gold. Last years album “Where There Is Life There Is Hope” not only demonstrated that they have the power to incite mosh pits and sing-a-long moments but also channel their frustrations into relatable lyrics about the pitfalls of modern day life. That earned them festival appearances at Burn It Down and Amplified not to mention European shows and more than a million streams. Now they return with EP “The Search For Permanence”, a six track affair mixed and mastered by Myroslav Borys (7eventh Sea, Confessions Of A Traitor, Last Hounds) at Jigsaw Audio.

If you’ve never heard of Downpour before then you could be forgiven for thinking that opening cut and title track “Permanence” was a fresh tune from The Ghost Inside, such is the quality of the burnt offering. A powerhouse tune of slick chugging riffs and pounding drums with heavy hitting lyrical narrative as honest as the day is long, it’s one that not only resonates but doubles as the push that makes you want to move. It’s that good. As if to underline the point and put a couple of exclamation marks after it “Bullet Points” matches the energy and intensity with clenched fist and a lyrical narrative about being through with giving up. While the theme is one of classic Hardcore, this is far more personal in a way that not only has grit and integrity which you can feel. The huge breakdown is the coup de grâce and its going to send the mosh pit wild when the band perform it on the bigger stages. Taking inspiration from the likes of Stick To Your Guns and Counterparts “Wounds” has a melodic chorus with gang chants and clean vocal parts to compliment the harsh lead vocals making it perfect for microphone grabs live but what makes it is the balance. The heavier aspects with the driving rhythms and blistering riffs push things forward in electrifying fashion and if you’re not in love with it by the time this record is over then you’re probably going to want to consult a shrink to find out what’s wrong with you.

The hits keep coming with “Barely Afloat“, another track that helps ensure this sub twenty minute affair is the cliche that is all killer no filler. A rich melody and some heartfelt clean vocals add depth and texture while amplifying the heavier parts and the harsh vocals, the band making sure that you can feel every second of the tune. Taking a moment to breathe, atmospheric piece “Erased” feels like heartbreak, a moment of clarity in a time of darkness with cries of “the truth doesn’t echo where you stand!” ones that you just can’t help but scream along with. Returning to something sharper “Memories” concludes the record in style with urgent riffs, rumbling bass and pounding percussion, Myroslav Borys once again nailing the mix. The vocal layering between the harsh and clean moments is balanced on a knife edge, some funky bass and cleaner guitars underpinning a spoken word passage that is heavy with sentiment a demonstration of class. Who says you can’t do style and substance with verve and swagger? Downpour just have [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Permanence
2. Bullet Points
3. Wounds
4. Barely Afloat
5. Erased
6. Memories

“The Search for Permanence” by Downpour is out 11th September 2026