I took a literature class in school in which I read about an author, Oliver Wendell Holmes, who was quoted as saying “Take a bath in music once or twice a week and you will find it cleanses the soul as water cleanses the body.” I have carried this idea with me for some time now, and as I review new music, I simply apply that to my process by asking myself “does this music cleanse my soul or make me feel dirty and used?” Now obviously, in Oliver’s time, post-hardcore and metal musicians and their fans would have been considered criminally insane as our music is best suited for animals, children, and psychopaths. But that particular style of music happens to soothe me and cleanse my soul, just in a dirtier way.

This week I was handed an album by a relatively new band to the scene from Lancaster, PA going by the name of An Early Ending. Their freshman album, Bloodlines, was released back in October under CI Records (who gave a start to bands like Texas In July and August Burns Red). As I was “bathing” in their music, I kept thinking to myself that their sound was very inviting and, whether or not I enjoyed the album, I definitely see a bright future for An Early Ending. Simply put, this is what the kids are listening to now, and these guys are giving them exactly what they want.

So I starting gauging their direction and sound to see how I could best describe it; and realized it would be a waste of time to over-think it because their sound is simple, so why try and over complicate it. That could come across as offensive, but in no way do I mean it in a negative way. I enjoyed Bloodlines just as much as I enjoy every other well put together post-core band I hear. Their writing is poetic and catchy, and their execution is strong and full of energy. The likeness to their peers is undeniable, but that didn’t turn me off to their music, as it’s still a good record. An Early Ending have mastered their craft and they execute their music well; while at the same time, they invite the listener on a fast paced journey into their world where they are most definitely bringing in da’ noise and da’ funk.

Each track offers up a good mixture of dance party rhythms and punch dancing breakdowns. The heavy and melodic mash-up of vocals flow very well together; and between Justin Wantz and Greg Hildebrand, you will not be shorted on damaging, upbeat guitar riffs.The majority of the album holds true to the three simple rules of post-core: keep it catchy, keep it high energy, and make it loud. A couple of stand out tracks for me would have to be their title track, “Bloodlines,” and track ten, “Saints.” If you are feeling a little emo, track nine, “Truth,” or their closer, “Harder To Be,” might be more up your alley. Both are good songs if you’re wanting something at a slower pace.

I don’t feel a strong need to get over involved in the description here. An Early Ending is a young band, and I feel that with some hard work, they will come into their own. Bloodlines follows a straight line and holds steady as a solid record. It’s packed with precise rhythms and loud guitar-based instrumentation, accompanied by a solid mix of clean and heavy vocals. By-the-book post-hardcore. I’d like to see them branch out and bring out a little more of brutality to the table, but fans of this genre will find that An Early Ending fit nicely into their collection.

3.5/5