Metalcore and hardcore may be going through a phase of popularity right now, what with bands like Code Orange, Jesus Piece, and Knocked Loose all getting their chance in the spotlight. That’s not to say hardcore hasn’t gotten its time in the limelight before, what with Hatebreed being a staple in the American music scene. That noted, you know how many bands I’ve had to deal with that just want to be Hatebreed rather than be inspired by them? Too many to be relieved that Thronetorcher aren’t one of them. They’re a well-versed, modernized hardcore band that are only getting started, and Eden’s Poison bodes well for them.
Eden’s Poison opens up with the band’s eponymous track, and by the first minute you already know what Thronetorcher is about. Mammoth-sized guitars hit you, and the vocals come in, you get with hit with a band who wears their All Out War and Incendiary influneces with pride. There’s a bit of a Jamey Jasta-esque delivery throughout the EP, but on tracks like “King of Disease,” they help elevate the band as they keep pushing forward with an unkindled ferocity. Five tracks, no down time, and no slowing down.
The biggest thing I can praise the band for is rather simple: guitar solos. They’re not as common as I’d like them to be in modern hardcore, but damn do 
Thronetorcher know when to bring them out. It’s a welcome way to change the pace up during a song, and when they actually feature one, it’s quite fitting, too. It’s sure as hell a lot better than most bands trying to shoehorn in solos every chance they get, and even better than bands trying to force the songs to turn into a breakdown. Eden’s Poison feels organic and to the point with its songwriting that none of the five tracks feel like unnecessary fodder or undercooked.
Sound wise, the band have a really great production team working with them. The guitars, previously mentioned, are titanic and the durms are EQ’d perfectly with them so that each breakdown and all the other heaviest moments on the EP are felt. In particular, “Animal Mind” benefits from this production choice in making it a standout among the rest. The opening two tracks are close seconds, with them working together as a one-two punch with little transition between the two tracks. If anything, the production suffers from bringing out the low end of the bass effectively. You can hear the bass, which I give major props to, but I must confess that I wasn’t feeling it. More low end would have added so much more feel to the 13-plus minutes this EP runs for, but it’s not enough to ruin the experience.
However, Thronetorcher have something good going for them this early in the game. For a debut EP, this is a good time. It hits hard, it’s not holding back, and even with a few blemishes Eden’s Poison is a good way for the band to introduce themselves to a larger audience.
Eden’s Poison releases on May 25th. You can stream “Animal Mind” below.
