EP REVIEW
Under Auburn Skies - Diminisher Of Hope
Disciplined Modern Metalcore
Founded in Denver, Colorado, in 2016, Under Auburn Skies quickly established itself as one of the local scene's standout acts by fusing the melodic and technical side of modern metalcore with an aggressive live presence. Following the Afterimage and Invention Of Reason EPs, Diminisher Of Hope marks a new chapter for the band, embracing a darker atmosphere and a more mature approach to songwriting. Across its six tracks, the release reflects not only a push toward greater heaviness but also the band's effort to carve out a more defined identity within modern metalcore.
One of modern metalcore's biggest challenges is the increasingly fragile balance between technical proficiency and artistic identity. Downtuned guitars, djent-inspired syncopated riffs, atmospheric keyboard textures, and clean-sung choruses have become part of the genre's shared vocabulary. Rather than rejecting that language, Under Auburn Skies use Diminisher Of Hope to reorganize it through disciplined songwriting. The EP's guiding philosophy is not to invent new sounds, but to strip familiar tools of unnecessary excess and employ them as efficiently as possible.
The backbone of the EP lies in the low-end-heavy riff architecture built around its twin guitars. Palm-muted, syncopated patterns draw heavily from djent aesthetics, yet the songs deliberately avoid becoming a relentless succession of breakdowns. The heavier passages serve not merely as moments of impact but gain their purpose through the contrast they create with the melodic sections. As a result, dynamic shifts become the primary compositional device rather than simply provoking a physical reaction from the listener. While the guitar work occasionally leans a little too closely toward contemporary metalcore conventions, limiting the record's distinctiveness, the rhythmic discipline behind the riffs prevents the material from losing cohesion.
The rhythm section follows the same measured philosophy. The drums generate a constant sense of momentum without turning into a display of technical prowess, anchoring the band's sudden transitions, while the bass reinforces the low end in a supporting role. Even during abrupt tempo changes, no instrument competes for the spotlight. That collective approach keeps the songs from sounding like variations of the same idea, despite the EP's concise running time.
Sebastian Gorklo's vocal performance stands as one of the record's defining strengths. His shifts between harsh vocals and melodic passages never feel exaggerated for dramatic effect. The aggressive delivery reinforces the rhythmic weight, while the clean vocals establish melodic focal points instead of chasing overt emotional climaxes. Lyrics centered on personal wounds, internal struggles, and social division are strengthened by his performance, yet the bleak atmosphere never slips into melodrama. Tracks like "Final Sin" showcase this balance at its strongest, while "World-Eater" introduces a more outward-looking thematic perspective that broadens the EP's otherwise introspective character.
The production closely follows contemporary metalcore standards. Chris Wiseman's mix places the vocals prominently while giving considerable weight to the low end. That approach enhances the impact of the rhythmic punches, although it occasionally traps the guitars' individual character beneath a compressed wall of sound. Likewise, the atmospheric keyboard layers surround the songs with a cold sense of space, but rather than altering the underlying compositional framework, they function primarily as a complementary element that adds depth. The atmosphere never overtakes the riff writing; instead, it serves as an aesthetic framework that supports it.
One of the EP's strongest qualities is how effectively it executes its formula of placing melodic choruses after heavier passages. That said, the repeated use of this structure makes some transitions increasingly predictable during the latter half of the release. Under Auburn Skies strike a solid balance between accessibility and aggression, but that balance also reflects a songwriting approach that occasionally shies away from greater risks. Rather than challenging expectations, the band chooses to fulfill them with confidence and control.
The cover artwork by Róbert Horváth follows the same aesthetic direction as the music itself. Its dark palette and imagery of collapse reinforce the EP's themes of despair, yet they do so through restrained visual language rather than excessive ornamentation or overt spectacle. In that sense, the band's overall artistic identity becomes clear: consistency takes precedence over flamboyance.
Diminisher Of Hope does not redefine the branch of modern metalcore occupied by Polaris, Currents, Invent Animate, or Make Them Suffer, but it strengthens Under Auburn Skies' place within that landscape through disciplined songwriting, commanding vocal performances, and arrangements that manage their pacing with precision. What the band still needs is a more distinctive guitar identity and a willingness to pursue bolder song structures. If they succeed in developing those qualities, Under Auburn Skies have the potential to become more than a band that executes contemporary metalcore exceptionally well—they could become one that genuinely pushes its boundaries.
OZAN
https://linktr.ee/UnderAuburnSkies
https://underauburnskies.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/UnderAuburnSkies