I Fight Bears – Liberosis
I Fight Bears – Liberosis
Self-Released
Release Date: 24/06/22
Running Time: 20:00
Review by Paul Hutchings
9/10
Currently putting in some stellar performances in the South Wales Metal to The Masses competition, the Metalcore approach of Bridgend’s I Fight Bears has worked remarkably well, with the band gaining lots of new fans and friends. Timing is everything, and the band’s new EP ‘Liberosis’ drops on the weekend of the Semi-Finals, one of which will feature the five piece.
Early traction came in 2018 when the band’s debut album featured in Metal Hammer and Kerrang!, the latter exclusively streaming the release. A hard-working period of live shows honed their live delivery, with support slots to Bleed From Within, The Word Alive, Continents, Perpetua, inVisions, Ghost Iris, Avira and Skies In Motion, and their experience is showing in their phenomenal live shows.
‘Liberosis’ is a five-track EP, clocking in at around twenty minutes in length. If you’ve not heard the band before, then their sound is best described as a combination of such behemoths as Lamb of God, Parkway Drive and KSE. What sets the band apart from many of their counterparts is the surging melody that courses through their songs. This, combined with the blend of Drew Hamley’s soaring clean vocals and Dan Blackmore’s lead growls brings a fresh approach. There’s plenty of more traditional Metal tucked in the edges of I Fight Bears sound as well, although the Groove laden riffs and powerful breakdowns rightly dominate.
Latest single ‘Beacon’ is the opener and boy does it get the blood surging. Powerful riffs, crushing bass and drums and Blackmore’s punishing screams hit you like a sledgehammer from the start. It’s relentless, despite the slight shift in tempo as Hamley’s cleans work their magic. ‘Beacon’ is a crushing opener and is destined to be the cause of multiple pit bruises.
Briefly bringing respite, ‘Believe in Me’ quickly accelerates to attack speed, with a different approach adding different dimensions to the song. The dual guitar work is effective, with Scott Preece’s solid drumming locking everything down neatly. Blackmore drifts into Matt Heafy style at times, something that I’m sure would impress the Trivium main man. The chorus once more allows Hamley to deliver the clean vocals in fine style, alongside some neat guitar work. This is followed by first single ‘Chainbreaker’ which erupts in brutal fashion, the punishing drumming propelling the band forward. It’s an uplifting anthemic brute of a song, with Blackmore’s aggressive roars particularly effective, as he rages over some sterling guitar work.
Things up a level on ‘Damaged World’, which introduces a barrage of riffs so heavy that the ground shakes. It’s a massive track, the strong production enhancing a blisteringly heavy, groove-sodden track. The EP closes with ‘State’, another pummelling to the face guaranteed as I Fight Bears bring it home. Huge riffs, a high tempo, and clean vocals once more soaring high – it’s a song that has it all.
This is a giant release. It’s a marker in the sand for those pretenders to the throne. I Fight Bears mean business. This is the EP to bring them forward to the entire world. Don’t be surprised if you see them on the New Blood Stage come August. They won’t be out of place.
‘Beacon’ Official Lyric Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Beacon
02. Chainbreaker
03. Damaged World
04. State
05. Believe In Me
LINE-UP:
Drew Hamley – Bass & Clean Vocals
Chris Treharne – Lead Guitar
Scott Preece – Drums
Marc James – Guitar
Dan Blackmore – Lead Vocals
LINKS:
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