Best of CBR Music with Vince Leigh
SWITCH UP
Echoes of a Shattered Memory
CBR’s SWITCH UP has emerged onto the metalcore scene with a collection that hits like a tightly clenched fist exploding from the genre’s heart, aimed squarely at both face and feels.
The EP balances ferocious intensity with moments of raw vulnerability, blending searing riffs and relentless energy with emotionally charged passages that add depth and resonance. SWITCH UP take the hallmarks of metalcore and twists them enough to make them their own, creating something both familiar and refreshingly new.
Opener The Bygone Feelings of the Heavy Heart eases us in via its restrained groove and tasteful guitar flourishes. This restraint doesn’t last long, though, with the band’s biting energy taking over, the vocals ripping through the sonic landscape with unfiltered emotion. It’s a fitting prelude to the chaos and catharsis that follow.
Love Is Dead, We Killed It exemplifies SWITCH UP’s duality. Alternating between melodic introspection and breakneck fervour, the clean vocals create an enticing push-and-pull against the aggressive moments. It’s a dynamic that underscores the band’s versatility and knack for pacing.
The energy ramps further with HYPOCRITE, a relentless assault of staccato riffs and bludgeoning grooves. The song’s tight, punctuated accents testify to the band’s technical prowess, the bass anchoring the chaos with a thunderous foundation.
Dying to Believe leans harder into melodic sensibilities. The interplay of clean silences and fast riffs creates dynamic tension, with drums the driving force. The hook feels like a release, drawing the listener into the band’s centre.
The Lonely Thorn shifts the mood once again, offering a moment of introspection with a clean guitar and filtered vocal. It’s a well-timed change highlighting the band’s ability to layer atmosphere without losing the EP’s momentum.
Closing with Give Up/Give In, SWITCH UP delivers an expansive sonic landscape of their signature style. Building from a low-key vocal hook into a raucous sound assault, the blend aggression with melody is cathartic and exhilarating.
Echoes of a Shattered Memory is a thrilling debut—an electrifying blend of technical proficiency and emotional depth that establishes SWITCH UP as a band to watch.
Keep up with the bands news, releases and upcoming gigs via their Linktr.ee.
