siLLy puPPy WE SUNK THE MAYFLOWER is an extreme metal band that started out in 2008 by a few high school friends who loved the louder and faster side of the music spectrum. Consisting of Enrique Ayala (vocals), Brandon Hawthorne (guitar), Joseph White (guitar), Evan Montez (bass) and Jared Magana (drums), this band was formed in the town of Chowchilla which is located in California’s Central Valley just north of Fresno. Originally the band featured David Montez on drums but who suffered an unfortunate early demise in a car crash.

This band is technically still active but so far only released this one EP titled WARNINGS IN REFLECTIONS that consists of four tracks where the band showcases its stylistic approach of mixing melodic metalcore with post-hardcore fury. While keyboards aren’t listed in the credits the EP starts off with a keyboard run on “Of Malice & Hope” and pops up from time to time often cementing a melody which the twin guitar attacks and rhythm section of bass and drums revolves around.

For the most part it seems WE SUNK THE MAYFLOWER wants to have it both ways. The metalcore aspects are as ferocious as any other band but there seems to be a clear attempt to make this a bit more commercial than the average core band by adding excess keyboard riffs and alternate the screamed vocals with cleaner vocals which during those times reminds me more of nu metal bands like Linkin Park. The band has been more prolific as a live act than in the recording studio and has played with acts like Mice & Men, A Day To Remember, Skylit Drive, Dance Gavin Dance and many others.

Overall this is a decent slice of melodic metalcore with lots of piano runs and even some electronic accoutrements but in the end it’s not anything to overly exciting either. It is somewhat unique in that WE SUNK THE MAYFLOWER seems to be adding alternative rock influences that alternate with the metalcore so for the hardcore crowds that want an incessant flow of core based aggression, this one will seem a little weak especially in the keyboard department but if you are seeking a sound that exists between extreme metalcore and more commercial nu metal then this one will surely please. It’s a mystery if there will every be a following release since this came out nine years ago but as a single EP representation, WARNINGS IN REFLECTIONS isn’t that bad, it’s just not that great either.