Grounds is a singer/songwriter & multi-genre producer from Farmington, Missouri most well known for leading the alternative rock band It Comes in Waves. Finding his calling quickly during his adolescence, he was invited to front multiple local bands & even formed a hip hop duo which would go on to release 2 full-lengths. He eventually signed to Dirtcore Music last summer, which marked a pivotal moment in the label’s expansion into rock & metal music. Couple singles later, he’s putting out an EP of his own & is setting out to show Dirtcore’s versatility.
“Down in the Fire” is a nu-metal opener produced with Dirtcore founder Crossworm that really gives you a taste of what’s to come from the rest of the EP singing about not feeling alive whereas “Broken” continues the heavy instrumentation explaining that no one knows the Hell he’s been through. “Fractured” goes for an alt-rock vibe that I really enjoy unable to tell if it’s love or regret just before “The Little Things” passionately sings about no longer being afraid of what he’ll lose for speaking his truth. “Make Sure You Hurt” featuring Samson Samson ends the EP vengefully assuring those who cross them will be sorry.
Dirtcore Music is primarily known for their acts being within the underground hip hop realms other than Crossworm’s last album ANTI & Walking into Tragedy feels a lot like Zug Izland releasing their debut album Cracked Tiles under Psychopathic Records or Makenzie Nicole’s sophomore effort Mystic under Strange Music & the Dropout Kings’ sophomore effort Riot Music under Suburban Noize Records being a more recent example. What I’m saying is: Dirtcore lets the It Comes in Waves frontman drop a 5-track EP that I can see appeal to fans of LINKIN PARK, 3 Days Grace, 30 Seconds to Mars & Bullet for My Valentine.
Score: 4/5
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