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Genre: metallic hardcore

Hailing from the Canadian underground, Lucid Skies is a promising metallic hardcore band from Edmonton. With an EP under their belt already, in the form of "Grudge Match" fom 2012, they are now ready to unleash their sophomore EP, "Hounds", upon the unexpecting world.

We are dealing with a four-track EP which showcases Lucid Skies' unique take on the intersection between hardcore and metal. While they do draw a bit on metalcore, the Canadians' go far beyond the confinements of formulaic metalcore. Each track is richly nuanced, and the EP features both thrashy aggression and hardcore gang vocals as well as brutal grooves and layered melodies. In particular, 'With Eyes' with its combination of grooves and melodeath elements and 'Count Me Out' with its experimental bass-drive, jungle beats, and punky feel are quite outstanding tracks which reveals loads of talent.

The production is quite good, as is the overall musicianship. My only beef with the EP is that the angrily yelled vocals quickly become old hat. Still, I understand that the are part of the overall sound of Lucid skies and the genres they draw on.

In all "Hounds" is a successful EP, showcases the chops of a very promising metallic hardcore band. This is definitely a welcome and refreshing alternative to the increasingly formulaic and watered down metalcore scene.