REVIEW: Execution Day 'Illusions' EP
Since 2016, Pittsburgh metalcore heavy-hitters Execution Day have been paving the way for themselves within the music genre. Tirelessly working around the clock, Execution Day has left a mark on the scene when it comes to delivering some of the very best talents, showing that the east coast can compete with the best of them when it comes to great metalcore bands in the United States. Their 2017 EP From the Bottom of My Heart, received widespread attention, allowing them to tour with well-known acts in the scene such as Falling in Reverse, The Plot In You, Like Moths to Flames and many others. This release would later give birth to a future EP that would debut earlier this month, Illusions.
From the very beginning, we get a beautifully vivacious start for a first track, “Anti-Venom.” Clean vocals gorgeously intermingle with heavy screams, mammoth-like guitar patterns, quick-paced drums, and crafty electronic atmospheric elements keep the track interesting for a first impression and prepare us for what will come next.
"Self-Help" is a titanic of a track to take in on Illusions for a myriad of reasons. Its giant guitar entrance alongside pulsating drums makes way for emotionally charged vocals and lyrics that instantly captivates the listener. Anthemic track "Self-Help" is deserving of being one of the best tracks on the EP because it does so many things at once and does them all so well.
We then jump right into next track "Twenty-Five," where the energy has taken a melodic pop-metal edge detour at this point. Here is where the vocals are top-notch and fluid. Metal energies remain painted throughout the track, with effortless clean vocals cutting through, giving it that infectious pop flavor. It will be a change of pace on the record, but a treasured one as it will become a favorite after you hear it for the first time.
"Lost at Sea (Castaway)" is the next track on Illusions, a beastly beauty of a listening experience, "Lost at Sea (Castaway)" is engulfed from head to toe with loaded guitar riffs firing off in perfect succession with well-timed gravid percussive elements. Once you hear this, it's quite easy to know why this was green-lighted for a single.
The high-octane energy does not end here as we continue with "There is a Light," another hit on this EP. Another lyrically outstanding piece, this track, in particular, shows just how good this band is at putting pen to paper to create lyrically engaging moments for the listener.
We then end on beautiful high-note "Woe." As if we didn't have enough hits on this record, this has to be another one to add to the list. From start to finish, this track is a diamond on the EP. From excellently crafted lyrics that work so well with the vocal registers featured throughout, to how the instrumental fervor fluctuates from sweet to heavy, it has to be the most ingenious auditory experiences on this EP.
Overall, Illusions is by far one of the most solid EP's of the year. Everything from production to the craftsmanship is well-done. If these guys continue on the path they are on now, we can only expect amazing things from them in the future.