Hailing from the populous city of Attila Csihar (Mayhem) and Béla Bartók, Budapest-based five-piece Soulharbour are noisy, poised, and focused on their debut full-length
Odyssey’s intro title track displays cinematicore drama with glossy synths, transforming to set the stage for the influences of Silent Planet or The Dail Thundering Concept. Steering the ship through seasick atmospheres on “Farewell,” it becomes clear that the act’s rhythm section means business. With soundscape immersion and a duality in heaviness, these two tracks are a superb feat in luring listeners in; like a siren’s call, I simply felt a need to hear more.
The quartet may strut with the confidence of modern metalcore acts including Make Them Suffer, yet more importantly, vocalist Endre Kulutacz delivers his screamed eulogies woundedly. In the current scene’s stylistic oversaturation, Soulharbour’s vulnerable, unhinged conviction is special. “Blind,” “Lost,” and “Tides” convey this genuine quality quite well.
As previously inferred, there certainly is a threshold that the modern metalcore community has halted at. I’m eager to find artists who push the envelope beyond the tracks laid by Killswitch Engage, The Devil Wears Prada, or Architects. Halfway through Odyssey, Soulharbour attempts to innovate, depicting trap beats and disgruntled rapping on “Stories.” Does it work? Not fully, but I appreciate the big swing. While the hip hop fusion resulted half-baked on the afformentioned song, I’d love for the band to continue exploring this experimentation; there’s definitely potential present. For example, a tasteful rap delivery is briefly shown in the following down-tuned track “Death.”
While under half an hour in length, this succinct venture in modern progcore proves Soulharbour’s worth in the competitive scene. There are moments aplenty across these nine tracks that display huge promise, flaunting symphonic flourishes or Sworn In-like frenetic energy. Yes, there’s certainly room for growth in the hook department, but personal favorite “Split” is representative of how melodic djent and gritty metalcore show can congregate in true harmony. We look forward to the Odyssey follow-up.