After announcing their return in 2022 with two crushing singles ‘Bad Blood’ and ‘Clarity’ alongside performances at That’s What You Get Festival and an appearance at Throwfest, Welsh metalcore quartet Continents are back and they’re better than ever with their new EP LIFELINE. Ten years on from their iconic debut album Idle Hands, the band have entered a new era with a decade’s worth of life experience and musical development.
The main theme of the EP is about being given another shot at life after failing suicide, as well as not letting the sadness and intrusive thoughts win. Embedded in the EP’s artwork is symbolism that ranges from social anxiety, hope, masking, gaslighting and being haunted by your past traumas. Mental health is at the core of this album, substantially dictating its lyrical themes, and Continents unleash all their pain and heartbreak in furious fashion.
Moving away from the more hardcore elements that were first utilised on their debut album, Continents have returned as a modern metalcore outfit fuelled with an impassioned rage. Their playing is much tighter, more technical and their performance is increasingly cohesive, whilst sonically it is reminiscent of bands such as While She Sleeps and Beartooth. Across the four tracks a decade’s worth of emotions flow out and many listening will feel a sense of catharsis with this EP.
“The last ten years has served them well with experiences that have ignited a new fire in them”
This is down to vocalist Philip Cross opens up in a brutally honest way that is both admirable and heartbreaking knowing the struggles he’s faced. Writing lyrics for the over thinkers, lead single ‘HURRICANE’ takes you through the harrowing experience of a panic attack, while opener ‘GASLIGHTER’ relives the horrific experience of losing yourself to gaslighting. With that in mind, LIFELINE is a poignant EP that comes from personal experience. LIFELINE resonates on a number of levels and it marks a powerful and emotive return for the Welsh four-piece.
LIFELINE sees Continents come back with a vengeance, the last ten years has served them well with experiences that have ignited a new fire in them and these four new tracks will remind us all of what we’ve been missing.