Traitors – Anger Issues
Traitors released their third EP ‘Anger Issues’ in February after taking one of the shortest hiatuses ever. They had been pumping out material like crazy (2 albums and 3 EPs since 2014) and hit their limit in 2017 when they disbanded, citing the fact that they were burnt out and needed to move on. However, they clearly just needed to take a break because they came back a few months later with my new favorite release of theirs.
Traitors has come incredibly far considering their downtempo deathcore beginnings. If you haven’t listened to them since their 2014 self-titled EP you need to give them another shot. Sound-wise, this is an entirely different band than the one that put out “Dead Nerves”.
Over the last few releases Traitors has slowly been working towards the sound they’ve achieved on this EP and it’s been a great journey. They’ve progressed from being a deathcore band that was a dime a dozen to a band that is helping to pioneer a new style. I’m massively into the sound that The Last Ten Seconds of Life created in 2015 with ‘Soulless Hymns’ and Traitors is continuing that progression with their own tweaks. Other than TLTSOL and Traitors, I don’t think there’s another band that’s actively exploring this type of deathcore.
It’s tough to describe this style because it really is so new. In terms of genres, it’s what I imagine nu deathcore would sound like and it’s primarily due to the instruments. They’re still very down-tuned and thick but they no longer over-emphasize heaviness like they did when they made downtempo. These tracks just seem like they were a lot more fun to make.
Despite the nu deathcore elements, there’s still a lot of classic Traitors in this EP too. Every once in a while Tyler goes all out with his low screams just like he used to and it’s beautiful. The end of “Lashing Out” is a great example of how they merged the nu deathcore style with Tyler’s screams. He’s still completely capable of his crazy deep vocals and it’s great he has the ability to sprinkle them in every once in a while.
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