A Driving Release from Marcus: The Apex Predator!
A fresh EP release from Marcus: The Apex Predator! Delivers a soiree of rock influences within a 5-track span, ranging from pop-punk and alternative rock to progressive and more.
One of the things I love about this record is how eclectic it can be but how these guys still keep to certain Staples and attributes that let their sound be their own.
The Newborn Fossil EP kicks off with a very driving alternative and desert rock style track, which also blends in some classic grunge, which I really love because it gives me bouts of nostalgia.
This was an excellent track to start the record with because it introduces you to some of what you may expect on the rest of the EP.
However, having said that, listening to just a few tracks from this record won't give you the full spectrum of what it has to offer as a whole. I suggest taking this one in from start to finish.
That first and title track does give off a massive sonic drive along with aggressive vocals and anthemic undertones and does a great job of pulling you right into the record.
The next track is called "Lo-Fi" which is one of my personal favorites because of the guitar work. The riff on this one is borderline mathy and makes you think of some underground '90s alternative rock bands.
You get more of that progressive feel from how this one is approached, and the arrangement is outstanding. You also get some emo underbelly and you can tell that these songs are coming someplace authentic.
This track is followed by one called "The First Summer", which wastes a little time blending pop-punk with classic rock attributes and a little bit of metal hidden just beneath the surface, blending color and edginess perfectly with a lot of that drive and anthemic feel the band does so well.
I also liked the semi-experimental approach to the recording because, at times, you have effects and distortions on the vocals that make things a little bit edgier but also give it some extra character.
This is also something I should bring up. This record has a lot of personality and character attached to it, especially if you listen to the lyrics.
A lot of these tracks are delivered with some emotional drive and have some personal things to say.
The energy is really unbelievable. It almost feels like these guys recorded it all live. It's like they were all feeding off of each other the entire time, and I really dig this aesthetic because it adds tons of drive to the songs themselves and lets them come through with that punch that they do.
This is a record you want to listen to all the way through. It's about 17 minutes long or so, and there's a lot to soak in within that time.
I loved hearing all the different influences in heavy rock come into play, and again, these bring together elements of grunge, alternative rock, punk, progressive, math, and emo.
These guys did a killer job of releasing a record that has fewer boundaries than you may be used to with experimental and inventive songwriting but is also able to sit just outside the box. These are not cookie cutter by any means, but they're catchy, have a bit of a pop overcoat, and again, hit with a blend of color, personality, vivacious and almost rambunctious energy, and personality.
Definitely check this out, and do it loudly because it hits better that way.
Check out this EP, and you'll see what I mean.
