Metalcore upcomers Sunmancer bludgeon and bruise with their sensational debut EP Nothing Ever Happens. Touching upon the influences of bands like August Burns Red, Killswitch Engage, and Unearth, Sunmancer’s stance in the metalcore universe embraces the hardcore while building captivating melodies and letting off explosions of energy.

Founding members, and brothers, Kyle and Justin Mazlik got a taste of the Metalverse with Broadcast The Nightmare, a band that dispersed shortly after being signed and releasing their debut album. Guitarist Jeremy Harlan of Faith In Ruin joined the brothers to what would soon become Sunmancer, with the band recruiting Ramon Rellum on Drums and Dan Nelson on Bass shortly after recording.

The EP Nothing Ever Happens is strikingly strong, with a solid rhythm built on dynamic riffs, and passionate vocal prowess. This six-track EP is a tyrant brought to earth through the production skill of Patrick Snyder (Hallower and Faith in Ruin) who also mixed and mastered the creation.  

“Liminal Rift” kicks off the EP, exploding into our ears with notable sound and energy. From the growing drum beat to the menacing strings, we get a taste of Sunmancer’s fury almost immediately. It’s a strong starter track built on non-stop drums and maddening vocals that shift flawlessly from rough screams to harmonized synchronicity. It’s a dynamic track that gives us a taste of not only the band’s influences, but their own dedication to the scene as well.

“Descender” brings the bludgeoning force of the band’s energy hammering down. With heated pauses, and heavy bass, this song hits from every angle, keeping the vocal dynamic in the spotlight while embracing the heavier side of Metalcore. From the high screams to the vocal breaks, it’s a track that impacts us vocally as well as musically with the same amount of force, carving out our hearts with meticulous precision as they tear our rib cage apart. The breakdown comes in clutch, with astounding strength that makes you head-bang without a second thought. If I had to pick one song off this EP to get someone into this band, it would be “Descender”.

Sitting at the center is “Nexus Hive” that’s as heavy as it is catchy. One of my favourites off the EP for its high-level energy and soaring rhythms, this song brings in a bit of everything, and touches on the KsE vibes for me. It’s speedy, heavy, and perfectly balanced with a steady melody, groovy bass line, and vocal performance that gets you in the mood to mosh.

“Revolver” gets gritty, laying low in the beginning and taking more of the icy Unearth vibes into its core before bursting at the seams. Without yield, the band commits to the non-stop rush of brutality that this track unleashes. It’s a battle at the front lines, with heated chorus that somehow calms despite the blood spatter all around. Like the moments to catch your breath against a relentless storm, this song conquers both highs and lows without fail, and brings us a track that’s as intriguing as it is intricate. Definitely one to check out if you’re only going to check a couple off the list.

Nearly at the EP’s end, “Delirium Redux” gives me the old-school thrash vibes, coming in with rapid pace and vocal pitch that skirts the clouds. It’s fun and bouncy; a song that you could mosh to as easily as you could just bob your head to at the barricade. It’s mellow yet strangely high octane in the same sequence, making it a solid track for those just getting into the Metalcore universe.

Bringing in the finisher is “Fatalist” that comes in heavy and clean. It’s got the classic Metalcore sound in its vocals but, absolutely slaps us with the weighted drums and bone-shattering riffs. The energy doesn’t even take a step back for this track, keeping things hot and heavy with speed and intensity. It’s a song that easily commands the wall of death, getting everyone to come together for that final battle on the floor where bodies fly and smiles conquer all.

Eclipsing the influences, Sunmancer brings us unparalleled power with their debut. Nothing Ever Happens commits to both the energy and the metal that Sunmancer seeks to offer, stopping not for a single moment to let us breathe. It’s heavy, speedy, and yet deeply complex with perfectly timed breakdowns, breathless pauses, and stunning vocal movement that has even the weariest of Metalheads giving Metalcore a second look.

If you’re after something hardcore, that doesn’t shy away from the heavy and the screamo-style, then Sunmancer’s EP Nothing Ever Happens is sure to scratch that curious itch.

Favourite Tracks: “Nexus Hive”, “Revolver”, “Descender”

You can snag your own copy of Nothing Ever Happens – Sunmancer‘s debut EP via Bandcamp. And don’t forget to stay up-to-date with the band via their socials like Facebook and Instagram. You can also find the guys on YouTube and Spotify!