Review: “False Idol” by Contrasts

Recorded at Long Wave Studios (Bring Me The Horizon, Holding Absence, Nova Twins) before being mixed and mastered by Tom Williams at Audio Peak Recordings, EP “False Idol” brings to an end a waterfall release of stand alone singles that has lasted three years for Cardiff Technical Metalcore act Contrasts. During that time the Welsh quintet, who comprise vocalist Kieron Sheppard, drummer Ethan Simons, guitarist Kurt Roberts alongside guitarist Michael Thomas and James Hardiman who both provide additional vocals, have shared stages with some big names. Those include Whitechapel, Black Tongue and Funeral For A Friend so perhaps the band aren’t the kind of act you’d expect to release a cover of “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga…

Chemically enhanced by space age programming “Ghost In My Head” comes to life in powerful Progressive Metalcore style with punchy DJent orientated grooves and arena filling sing-a-long harmonies wrapped around Sheppard’s harsh uncleans. The introspective lyrical narrative provides shades of Nu-Metal while the five piece put plenty of bounce in the mosh pit with their verve and swagger, the sound reminiscent of Wage War in terms of that blend of the melodic and the heavy. That narrative continues with “The Space Between” features a guest appearance from Aaron Roberts of De’lour fame, a cut that inflicts some serious damage to the cranium with its violent chugs, using the programming to create a haunting ambient texture to underpin it all. The “Bleigh!” moment is of course a gut punch and the guest vocal appearance as stunning as getting tasered, the juxtaposition of the vocals perfectly balanced with real grit and integrity behind them.

Stripping back the guitars and replacing them with synths and programming feels like move both bold and brave, leaving the Contrasts no place to hide with “Armageddon“. However the aching clean vocal harmonies draw you in before the guitars, bass, drums and harsh vocals come crashing down mid-cut in a move as old as time but cleverly worked so as to be unexpected. Its such a powerful moment that it feels like being crushed by a piano that has fallen from the thirty fourth story of an apartment building in downtown Manhattan, the return to the aching keys for the final few seconds an absolute joy to behold. After that stunning moment title track “False Idol” is a thumper that sounds like it has influences from the Australian Metalcore scene and bands like In Hearts Wake. The harsh vocal parts reach new levels of depravity while being better intertwined with the cleans than in the first half of the record, something that pays dividends in terms of energy. Staccato riff breaks bring it home, the programming bleeding through the gaps nicely and it has to be said, the five piece leave a lasting impression [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. “Ghost In My Head”
2. “The Space Between” (ft. Aaron Roberts of De’lour)
3. “Armageddon”
4. “False Idol”

“False Idol” by Contrasts is out 30th January 2026