EP Review: No Peace In Death by Tempers Fray
Cover art for No Peace In Death
It’s hard to understate the impact that a band like Tempers Fray has had on the UK hardcore scene. The BN1 heavies have been stamping their way through venues for years, demolishing all in their wake and cementing themselves as one of the true top dogs in the game. Three years on from their last release, 2023’s “Return to the Earth”, Tempers Fray are gifting the scene with a new EP, “No Peace in Death”.
This EP is crushing. It’s obvious to the ear that the band draws from death metal to some degree or another, and the presence of Obituary shirts on stage only adds to that. But starting the first song with a blastbeat and leaning heavily on vocalist Conz’s guttural register is a statement. Unrelenting from the very beginning. The intention is clear: you are moshing. It’ll take a lot for anyone to resist the call, and as one pit part gives way to another, the pain just keeps on coming. Tempers Fray are masters of the craft, years upon years of mosh science being broken down and refined into this four-track ripper. It’s scary to think of what devastation will unfold during a live set when these songs hit. Be warned, dancers; play safely. These men are bigger than you.
The band has experienced a couple of pretty significant line-up changes since the last record. Drummer Zack Bland and guitarist Sam Lilley, both also of the excellently evil BN1 band Exhume, enter the fold and make their mark on this new release. Zack is easily one of the best to sit behind the kit in UKHC, and his performance across “No Peace In Death” is testament to that. The riffs are savage throughout, the chemistry between Lilley and long-time members Chris Hill and Dom Lam coming together in a manner that, to the ear, sounds effortless. The addition of these two has served the band beautifully. Revitalised ambition, a new dynamic. As punishing as this release is, it feels as though they are having fun from start to finish. The spirit of the band has been given a new lease of life, and that is made obvious by the sheer quality of the music.
The vocal attack on this EP is demonic from the get-go. As previously stated, it makes excellent use of microphone champion Connor Cottrell’s deep, guttural register. In all honesty, it wouldn’t be amiss for someone to confuse this for a death metal record. Delivering potentially the best performance of his career, the ability on display is astounding. The final track, Twice Your Size, sees the addition of fellow Brighton growler Cooper Kryskiw of the band Bodybag, who provides a well-considered, stunningly wretched howl. His presence is buried in the mix amongst bodies of those much smaller, but the two vocalists complement one another magnificently. As subtle as it is effective, the feature adds a troubling sense of unease, which once witnessed is hard to shake.
Despite its short run time, coming in at just shy of ten minutes, “No Peace In Death” makes a massive impression. Four tracks of crushing death metal infused UK hardcore which only leaves you wanting more. They could easily have made this longer, but the brief nature only amplifies the intensity. This is a release that you can spin over and over. Pressing play on this unleashes hell, and as it drags you along by your ankles, you will relish it. It will smash you, beat you down. You will press play again.And again. And again. Tempers Fray have been at this for a very long time, and it is clear that they have no intentions of going anywhere, but with songs this large, why would you want them to? A jewel in the crown of the underground, mosh science extraordinaries, twice your size. Treat yourself, press play, and quake in the presence of those far bigger than you.
FFO: Splitknuckle, Obituary, Bodybag, Bun Dem Out, Ruction Records, big men, violent dancing
SCORE: 9/10
No Peace In Death is releasing independently on the 10th of August.
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