Time Signature Mechanical...

Genre: deathcore / metalcore

Despite Exile is an Italian metalcore band who draw extensively on the more deathcore side of the metalcore continuum, and Re-Evolve is their second EP.

To be honest, there is very little deathcore that appeals to me, because, for some reason, I tend to find it monotonous and, well, boring. That being said, I decided long ago not to reject the genre as a whole, and I am glad I did because every now and then I come across a deathcore band that I do not dislike – there are not any, but there are some – and Despite Exile, at least on this EP, is one of those bands.

It does feature breakdown upon breakdown and hysterical over-the-top harsh vocals, which, along with the lack of guitar solos, constitute some of the biggest deathcore turnoffs for me. Okay, so with that out of the way, I do think that there are a number of positive elements that appeal to me on this EP. Firstly, I like the groove in a number of the breakdowns, and Despite Exile even use some kind of innovative breakdowns every now and then, so we do nto end up with three tracks that are dun-dun-duh-duuun-duck-a-dun-dun-duh-duuun all the way through. Moreover, and this is what I really appreciate about this album, Despite Exile insert little technical bursts every now and then as if to show that there is actually more to their capabilities than just deathcore grooves.

This is especially prevalent in the closing track 'Mechanical', which is the absolute highlight of the EP for my money. It is characterized by variation and features both melody and technicality coupled with metalcore breakdowns and grooves of the more innovative kind as well as more death metal oriented riffage.

This EP features all the virtues of metalcore and deathcore, so, although I am not a big fan of that stuff myself, I would still recommend it to metalcore afficionados, who – I am sure – will find this EP very enjoyable. I myself also find it enjoyable, but for other reasons. What I like is how Despite Exile seem to be slightly innovative in their deathcore, and, if a track like 'Mechanical' is any indicator of the band's future direction, then I think fans of progressive and technical extreme metal, especially djent fans, should keep an eye on this Italian metalcore band. Metalcore fans are definitely encouraged to purchase the EP from the band's bandcamp page.

(review originally posted at seaoftranquility.org)

J-Man Deathcore may not be the first thing that comes to mind when talking about Italy, but that's exactly the style of music that Despite Exile dedicates themselves to on this debut EP. Scarlet Reverie is a six-song, 21-minute effort that demonstrates the brutal, unforgiving style of death metal-infused metalcore popularized by bands like Suicide Silence, Carnifex, or Emmure. Add in a touch of melodic-edged metalcore in the vein of Killswitch Engage, and you've got a pretty good idea of the style of music delivered by Despite Exile.

Though the band doesn't do anything particularly new in this well-trodden territory, Scarlet Reverie is a well-executed debut from a band that has clearly rehearsed before. Their compositional abilities are also substantially above-average for most modern deathcore acts (I have a major issue with the overall generic sound that bands like Emmure tend to embrace), and although Despite Exile relies a bit too heavily upon 'standard deathcore breakdowns' for my tastes, Scarlet Reverie is still a very promising debut EP.

Despite Exile's rather uninventive approach may not appeal much to folks outside of the deathcore fanbase, but anyone who enjoys the genre will probably like what these Italians have to offer. There are certainly enough displays of technical mastery, devastating breakdowns, and pummeling riffs to satisfy the vast majority of metalcore and deathcore listeners out there.