Waterlines // WDGAF Vol1 // EP Review

This is Waterlines’ debut EP, so I guess it would be best to provide a little information about the band initially.

Branded as Northern UK Metalcore, Waterlines are a four-piece band comprising Ben on vocals, Mike on guitar, and Tom and Si on Drums. Having begun in November 2022, Waterlines have been pushing on with new music and live shows, which has resulted in them being included in Metal Hammers’ track of the year with ‘Prey’ and headlining the 2023 Jagermeister stage at Bloodstock festival and then being invited back for the 2025 edition on the Sophie Lancaster Stage.

So what do Waterlines bring to the table? This 6 track EP opens with the aforementioned ‘Prey’ and immediately feels like a modern take on Metalcore, with an electronic element alongside a very low bottom end that sounds almost tech-influenced, which is matched to a rough clean and heavy growl. The breakdown brings back those electronic elements – almost in an Enter Shikari fashion, but this is definitely in that Metalcore arena.

‘Prey’ does feel like it carries a lot of energy and that continues throughout the album. That newer take on Metal and Metalcore is a fresh twist and one that Waterlines seem to be at the forefront of and pushing things a little further. They definitely set themselves apart with that dance/metal crossover. That blend is nothing new, look at the Prodigy for example, however, what Waterlines do is very much Metalcore first and that is supplemented by the beats and synths.

When you also consider the Tech/Post Metal sounds that also bleed through the sound, this is a genuine mash-up of genres and sounds, the result of which is interesting and pretty good. It is new, and fresh and works very well as a sound. You can be moshing one second, then be in the middle of a breakdown that would include glowsticks – again not a new concept however one that this band do very well.

Closing the EP with a live version of ‘Brace’ you can imagine the energy that is felt when the band play and I picture a pretty hectic pit that welcomes anyone and everyone from different genres to come and thrown down. Surely, that’s the idea of music, to join people together and music like WDGAF Vol1 will certainly do that.

An impressive debut is about to land and hopefully an exciting future.

WDGAF Vol 1 will be released Friday January 10^th 2025.

Review: Ed Ford