EP Review: Short Of Daybreak by In Search Of Statues
EP Artwork for “Short Of Daybreak” by In Search Of Statues
Amongst a resurgence of revivalcore bands, we’re seeing a plethora of hits and misses. Some bands know how to pay tribute to the OG metalcore sound without becoming a cheap copy, and others find themselves falling outside detection zones due to aiming for a sound they’re unable to revive respectfully. Enter, Arkansas metalcore outfit, In Search Of Statues. With only 1 EP under their belt, “Approaching The Mirror”, and another imminent, they’re fresh into their musical journey, and it looks like a promising one to say the least.
Sometimes all a band needs to do to grab your attention with both hands and leave you frozen in place in awe is create a short, straight to the point, no bullshit record, and that’s exactly what “Short Of Daybreak” is. With 3 tracks coming in at just under 11 minutes of runtime, there’s no room for error, only deliverance, and In Search Of Statues have hit every shot right in the centre. And when you find out this EP was written in just 5 months while the band were on a short break from playing shows, it makes it all the more impressive.
Leading in, you’re faced with tennis ball snares and antagonising hits courtesy of Sage, and a menacing riff that’s only purpose is to gear you up for the full throttle moment that’s awaiting you shortly after. There’s a certain charm about a built up intro, it leaves the floor open for imagination and gets the primal instinct festering within as it anticipates the external influences round the corner. Sure, the band could’ve come in all guns blazing from the second you press play, but where’s the excitement in that? Only start as you mean to go on, and not everyone can maintain that level of energy throughout an entire release. Whereas the direction the intro track, Atonement, starts in, it sets the bar high but not unattainable.
While some features offer nothing except hype - for lack of a better word - it’s compelling when a featured vocalist fits the track as though it was created specifically for them in mind. That’s precisely what to expect from the Katywentmissing feature on Atonement. Both vocalists work in consonance, which results in an unerring performance and uninterrupted flow of lyric delivery.
From start to finish, “Short Of Daybreak” is decorated with the golden parts of metalcore – the elements that make it such a widely loved and appreciated genre, but also one of the hardest to revive if your heart’s not in it. The vocal twists and turns presented throughout are the shining point of this EP, perfectly encapsulating that OG 00s sound, with glass shattering highs, and lows that could blow even the highest of quality sound systems. They hold a fierce level of sharpness that will pose a threat to the dancers at any of their live performances. Aggression isn’t all that vocalists Drew and Eli can deliver, as we’re offered a spoken word segment in the track, Monarch, as well as a clean vocal part. Showing off entire range and versatility in a single track would usually come off as chaotic and flustered, but the execution between transitions is seamless to the point of complete harmony. While the majority of credit goes to the band for their unique and passionate attitude towards this EP, homage must also be paid to John Howard for the mixing and mastering, as his ability to retain the character of what makes metalcore so remarkable, while dipping ever so slightly into the modern space for attuned listening, is commendable.
When you take this EP for what it is, 11 minutes of ass beating riffs and commanding vocals, you’ll understand why In Search Of Statues are a band that should be on your radar. Throughout no point in “Short Of Daybreak” is there an episode of faltering, there’s no slip in the race of becoming a name that you immediately think of when asked about metalcore bands in the modern age, and there’s no denying that this release is just a stepping stone for better things to come. They may be called In Search Of Statues, but it’s guaranteed they won’t find any at their live shows.
FFO: Body To Ash, Of Eden, Anvilchandelier
SCORE: 7/10
Short Of Daybreak will be out on all streaming platforms on Friday 26th June 2026, released via Paper Wings Records.
