Review: Easy Prey - Unrest

Label: HellMinded Records

Two years ago EASY PREY got quite the praise for their "Relentless Struggle"-EP. But before they could get any further momentum, they had to cope with troubles tied to the dominating pandemic. Now, that we're drifting in and out of tragedies, they come around with their fittingly titled, new record. A record that should give them even more attention. A record that is called "Unrest".

In 2020 the four-piece out of Austin, Texas got comparisons to the likes of UNSANE, HELMET, KISS IT GOODBYE or THE JESUS LIZARD. And all these bands are still present in their sound. Yet, they chose a different, more arty path this time around. It's an interesting journey for them, coming from straight up Noise-Rock. On "Relentless Struggle" they already took some dips into more melodic territories, but most of the time it felt like they strictly separated the Noise-Rock from the melodic Post-Hardcore-style.  On "Unrest" they melted both together to create a smooth listening experience and not the least a sound of their own...

The opener and lead single "The Outcome, not the Influence" is a signpost for the whole album and presents the "new" EASY PREY without further ado. Just compare the song to the abrasive opener from "Relentless Struggle". EASY PREY in 2022 are not as abrasive, not as destructive. They're more precise, more calculated, more organized, and infatuated in the details of their own tracks. They took a step away from UNSANE or THE JESUS LIZARD and further approached SHELLAC or other introspective sound-obsessed bands like NATIVE, DRIVE LIKE JEHU, BOTCH, THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES or UNWOUND, while not really sounding like any of those bands. Strangely I too get some DEFEATER or MODERN LIFE IS WAR-vibes out of this, sometimes!? EASY PREY definitely love those epic climaxes, just listen to the second single "Radical Self Loathing". With all that being said, and terms like "calculated" or "organized" thrown around, "Unrest" nonetheless is their most emotional material as of yet! Not only the themes of the songs give the album its sentiment, also the vocals by Chris Moynan are surprisingly heartfelt and full of intensity. He took some small adjustments on the sound of his voice and it perfectly fits to the more well-rounded, emotional-driven character of "Unrest".

"The Outcome, not the Influence" is one of the more accessible songs on "Unrest", with his epic, melodic edge and the irresistible drive. While there are similar tracks to it, it's not like all the other songs are built in that fashion. There are also songs with a more direct Noise-Rock/Bulldozer-approach to them, like "Living beyond your Means (to survive)", "Full Table and Empty Stomachs" or the DEADGUY/KISS IT GOODBYE-esque "Blue". Speaking of these bands, their lead vocalist Tim Singer gets a guest spot on "Ethical Drift", and as you might suggest, it's a match made in heaven!

In the end it doesn't matter about which song we're talking about, what I really love about "Unrest" is its consistent, coherent character. It's no flashy form of (Post-)Hardcore, it is pure, honest and sincere, it lives and breathes in its details. EASY PREY emphasized their production and it paid out, cause "Unrest" creates an intense and tight mood and just sounds fantastic. If you call yourself a fan of intelligent, yet passionate (Post-)Hardcore, than this is the album to go to in 2022! Does that sound elitist? The fuck! Fuck the elite!

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