Black Pines – ‘Bodies’ [EP] [Album Review]

London-based heavy rock outfit Black Pines releases their new EP, Bodies, which sees the band deviating from their previous indie sound to one of powerful alternative.

Talking about Bodies, frontman Tom Clark says, “It was important to us that the EP was multidimensional, as well as establishing a coherent sound – I believe people love bands because they develop and grow and change – they don’t just churn out identical singles time and time again.”

Made up of five tracks, Bodies begins with “Death Ballad,” featuring dark coloration, dense guitars, and rumbling percussion. Clark’s high-pitched vocals imbue the lyrics with edgy, strident timbres that descend to portentous melodicism, especially on the dreamy breakdowns.

Riding a Gothic, industrial rhythm, “Worlds Apart” reveals thick, shadowy guitars, infusing the tune with brooding surfaces. Whereas the soft, ghostly intro of “What Are You Scared Of?,” establishes an introspective mood as Clark’s evocative vocals give the lyrics tender inflections. As the harmonics elevate, the song takes on a compact wall-of-sound sensation.

“Run and Hide” shifts sonic gears, blending elements of heaving alt-rock with shimmering, kaleidoscopic breakdowns.

A socio-political song, “Rule Over Me” tackles governmental hegemony with dramatic synths, gleaming, ominous strings, and a bravura vocal performance by Clark, whose soaring timbres bathe the lyrics in turbulent emotions.

Gnawing guitars and hefty rhythmic pulsations whet the viscous harmonics of Bodies to grindstone-like aggressiveness, raw and potent.

Black Pines, photo courtesy of Black Pines

Bodies Track Listing:

1. Death Ballad
2. Worlds Apart
3. What Are You Scared Of?
4. Run and Hide
5. Rule Over Me

Run Time: 18:59
Release Date: September 29, 2023
Record Label: Independent