There have been a lot of hopefuls in recent years but I don’t think anyone’s come as close as Profiler has to capturing the Nu-Metal vibe so perfectly. The Bristol, UK outfit especially excel when it comes to harnessing the power of the oft looked over latter years of that genre when bands like Linkin Park were really dominating (Think Meteora) and many an underground band were getting signed, putting out records, then getting dropped before the ink on the contract was even dry (Lookin’ at you, Darwin’s Waiting Room, The Deadlights, Five Pointe O, et al). Add in some vocals from guitarist/vocalist Mike Evans that perfectly mix Fred Durst’s magical flow on the mic with Jonathan Davis’ raw aggression and fans get one helluva potent combination on a debut EP that’s a cut above the rest.
And that was your long ass intro to say that Profiler gets it.
It’s Incredulous to think that “Miserable”, barring instrumental segue “We Are Extinction”, is a debut song to an extent. Sounding fresh beyond fresh and with that new car smell all over, “Miserable” is like Neo Nu-Metal mixing the intensity of a modern heavyweight like Wage War with the emotive vulnerability of Vex Red within a vibrantly ethereal atmosphere to make the most winning formula and the most perfect start to the EP.
“Glitch Theory” is divine, heralding a nastier low end while also boasting big grooves as some equally big bass tones from Joe Johnson get a proper rub within leading to this bold and beautiful chorus with all the Vex Red feels combined with Five Pointe O’s heaviness and a scream that’s reminiscent of Ghastly Sound while “Alpha Nine” is plain heavy ecstasy with an intro that’ll make listeners stop whatever they’re doing, stand up and just jump up and down or headbang to expel all the energy the song immediately produces. Then we get “Hypocrite” which is all down-tuned riffs, slammin’ drum lines from Oscar Hocking, and Evans’ vocals seamlessly switching between dreamy and dastardly in an instant to end this masterclass on what a debut should sound like.
Profiler arrives on June 24th through Sharp Tone Records with pre-orders and pre-saves up for purchase and perusal when you head here, here, or here. For the latest from Profiler, follow them across their social media pages by clicking here, here, or here.