Final Surrender

It’s been nearly four years since progressive metalcore trio Final Surrender released their debut album, Empty Graves. Again releasing through Rottweiler Records, they’ve marked their return with an EP impossible to ignore.

Nothing But Void is seven tracks that are amply proficient, a work overflowing with slick, technical riffs, powerhouse drums, and dynamite vocals. Every individual component of the collection is captured at the height of its performed potential, carefully placed and decidedly considered within the songwriting.

What stands out on Nothing but Void is the obsessive consideration that had to be taken in the selection of guitar stylings and effects; these elements provide a textured instrumental background that perfectly complements the vocals. The result is an in-your-face intensity that feels inclusive of the listener while remaining aggressive in tone. The minor inclusion of clean vocals allows for just a hint of what lies beneath the rough edges while giving the album some necessary variety.

The Bangalore, India-based Final Surrender has dropped an extremely-refined metal release. Their instrumental ingenuity matched with a clearly defined and cohesive vision has created an EP bursting with the emotion and technical prowess that can only be found among the top-tier in metal. When a band makes a comeback from a prolonged absence, this is the way to do it: heavy with the element of surprise in your writing and densely packed with quality material.