The UK metalcore scene is currently thriving with the likes of Cauldron, Killing Me Softly and Dandelion. Durendal are a new band to join the scene of self-proclaimed, hardcore fans crafting the heaviest, most technically exciting metalcore. The Leicester-based six-piece released their debut EP Monument through the highly celebrated UK-based label The Coming Strife Records following a two-date run of debut shows.
Through diving into the song titles and theming, Durendal take an unusual approach to the typical tropes of metalcore music. Vocalist Will McLaughlan has discussed online about his fascination with all things sci-fi and fantasy and notes this is what brought the band together. So much so, their name Durendal is named after a sword that initially derives from French literature but has since been used in popular culture titles such as Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem and Halo. The third song on their 5-track EP most definitely denotes this inspiration as its title ‘Flawless Cowboy’ is a campaign Commendation in Halo: Reach and the lyrics follow a storyline as if the character is in the process of completing this achievement.
Similarly, ‘Dust and Echoes’ and ‘The Gun Pointed at the Head of the Universe’ are also references to Halo as they are named after pieces in the original soundtrack. The band achieve a large amount of references within their music but without it feeling overdone. For those who do understand or have experienced the games firsthand, it is an added detail and could give a better understanding of the storytelling in the lyrics. However, even listeners who have not played the games, it is not required to do so to enjoy Durendal.
Through listening to this EP, the vocal styles performed by McLaughlan and the instrumentation written by Kyle Colcough and Harris Dutton come together in harmony. McLaughlin performs early spoken parts in the intro track ‘Reveille… a Monument to All Your Sins’ and the closer ‘Dust and Echoes’. The lyrics “this is the way our world ends, not with a bang but a whimper” in the track Dust and Echoes create a mass build-up to an extremely heavy breakdown and a change in vocal style. It’s a line crafted to be played live with an audience reaching for the mic before a typical heavy dance floor erupts. In typical metalcore fashion, some clean vocals are also featured in the songs ‘Flawless Cowboy’ and ‘Dust and Echoes’ which successfully creates a contrast between the heaviness of the EP.
“achieve a large amount of references within their music but without it feeling overdone”
Although the lyrics and songwriting in this EP are to be celebrated, the writing of instrumentation must also be commended. The instrumentation featured in the intro ‘Reveille… a Monument to All Your Sins’ bombards the listeners with a heavy, chuggy breakdown with a heavy dance floor in mind. It truly sets the scene for what Durendal is about and shows the listeners what to expect from the rest of the EP. Their clear influences from early metalcore’s finest Parkway Drive and Killswitch Engage are apparent in Colcough’s and Dutton’s writing as the technical melodic riffs are balanced with heavy rhythmical breakdown in the songs ‘They Came to Hear Me Beg’ and ‘The Gun Pointed at the Head of the Universe’. The breakdowns may seem repetitive for those outside of the metalcore and hardcore scenes, but they show such creativity by featuring arpeggiated chords, technical drum fills, and varying tempos throughout.
Durendal have successfully achieved a powerful, reference-loaded and fresh take on early 2000s metalcore. They will be without a doubt be featured on heavy lineups with their backing from The Coming Strife as well as their unique approach to songwriting.