Becoming EP - Heartmachine Review

Let’s not beat around the bush; Aging is terrifying. In a world that, for the last decade, has sped up at a rate that no human can keep up with (on a healthy level), finding the time to come to terms with your own changing life is something that can feel alien to any individual who spends more than a few minutes reminiscing.

Heartmachine’s debut EP and its accompanying artwork feels aware of this fact and comes with the questions that accompany a few trips around the sun. It also sounds like a blend of emo-era Paramore and modern metal - for better or worse.

With the opening single, Solaris, Heartmachine makes no secret of the fact that they are here to ponder one’s meaning whilst blending a few musical influences into this introduction piece. A powerful rhythm section from drummer Matthew Keswell and bassist Craig Bentley-McKune spearheads the track, although at the behest of the other instrumental contribution; namely the guitar (Played by Immanuel Bester). Inarguably beautiful riffs are buried in the mix, and even when a groove is found, it is changed up in favour of a different genre convention, that can feel jarring at times - especially when at least six unique movements are crammed into the four minute runtime.

Our national flower [Protea] is found as the next track of the release, wearing its metalcore base a lot more on its sleeve than its predecessor. Heavier breakdowns and riffs hoist the majority of the track with heart-pounding double-kick drum sections and chugging guitars - which still unfortunately feel let down by the juxtaposition of vocal lines with noticeably few syllables, stretching out the delivery of the connected piece.

The Seeker wraps up the release on a stronger note - as it sounds like Heartmachine has found the sound that they have been trying to pin down for the previous eight minutes. The Seeker also has by far the most impressive and consistent vocal performance from vocalist Natalie Lucia. The closing track finally has the required conviction when asking questions like “Where do you go?” and “What are you searching for?”

Ultimately, Becoming sounds like a metalcore release that borrows from genres like post-rock, without the understanding of what makes the conventions thereof effective. At times it comes across as searching for a new sound at a pace that can be disorientating for listeners, as the band sacrifices musical movements that do work, in favour of adding more parts that could be considered impressive.

For now, Heartmachine shines brightest when it feels like the members are embracing their musical roots and a formula that they are clearly familiar with.

Although not necessarily my cup of tea, this may scratch an itch for you - if you were hoping that young Lacey Sturm did a collaboration with a prog band.

- Some Guy on the Internet