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Recently we have seen an expected rise in modern metal EPs and limited track drops, reflecting the trends across the entire music industry. Last year alone, short releases by the likes of Annisokay, Spiritbox, Earth Caller, Brand of Sacrifice, and Left To Suffer all entered my annual Top 25 ahead of many other full-lenght albums, and already this year we have seen remarkable EPs by Banks Arcade, Advents and Alienist. Enter Windwaker, one of my favourite Aussie newcomers who have joined the gang with a stellar 4-song opus Enter The Wall that stands as tall and proud as all the other powerhouses named above.
This EP is meticulously planned and executed, but this comes to no surprise, considering Windwaker's fantastic debut Love Language was an absolute highlight back in 2022. The key thing here is the amicable yet crucial departure of the extremely versatile singer Will King, and the arrival of the band's original frontman Liam Guinane. The guys have handled the change perfectly with a seamless transition on 'Left In The Dark', refreshing their sound but preserving their identity. After that, even if there were any doubts about Liam's range, talent and place in Windwaker, they were silenced for good with the release of the insanely catchy single 'SIRENS', propelling the band into a whole new and exciting chapter.
With Love Language, Windwaker charmed us with a volatile blend of modern metalcore sound, nu metal foundation, and pop alure, all wrapped with that signature Aussie attitude and delivery that have made the local scene so iconic. The new EP carries on in the same direction, fully embracing the best and most extreme parts of the debut and compressing them into four arguably faultless tracks. It amplifies both the beauty and the fury of the former, pushing the boundaries even further and fearlessly leaving their comfort zone.
Enter the Wall is as if Love Language only had 'Beautiful', 'Dopamine Freestyle', 'Trenches' and 'Supersticious Fantasy'. In other words, it is the best we have seen from Windwaker, reworked again with Liam at the helm as a proper re-introduction and a powerful statement of intent for the future. The opener 'The Wall' is a brilliant example of bouncy nu metal chaos, 'Villain' brings back the feels with its anthemic chorus, 'Fractured State of Mind' is envigorating and relentless from start to finish, and then there is 'SIRENS' at the end, wrapping up the release with its familiar grooves and contagious lyrics.
I am still hesitant to rate shorter EPs higher but if a release packs everything you love in a band, doest it matter how many songs are there. Sure, I would prefer few more tracks, maybe even 'Left in The Dark' but there is a reason for everything and Windwaker have once again delivered a modern metal beauty. The guys are no longer just part of the future of the Aussie scene, they are actively leading, influencing and shaping it to their liking and I am already excited for whatever they drop next.
Windwaker - 'Enter the Wall' EP
Country: Australia
Released: 15 March 2024
Label: Fearless Records
Tracklisting:
1. 'The Wall'
2. 'Villain'
3. 'Fractured State of Mind'
4. 'SIRENS'
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