EP Review: Protected Left – Fossil

The Protected Left have returned with their brand new five track EP ‘Fossil‘ that follows up on their 2017 split EP with The Shortlife. Since the band’s last release the trio has undergone significant changes with two new members, drummer Trey Derbes and bassist Bret Fontaine, joining founding member Mario Bourzac who has retained his his role up front on guitar and vocals. Protected Left‘s side of the their previous split release was earnest and furious technical melodic hardcore with a distinctly metallic edge, despite the drastic line up changes this is still true, but once you get past the heavyweight introduction to “Never Know” it would seem that, aside from the heavyweight breakdowns, the metallic side has taken a diminished role in the sound as this is much closer to straight up melodic hardcore.

 

“The Swell” and “Old Life“, with it’s delicately picked acoustic introduction, continue to give you the feeling that the line up change has veered Protected Left away from their more excessive metal influences. If you had suspicions about what direction Protected Left were heading in the 45 second hardcore blast of “Worst Part” and the appropriately titled finalè  of “Reboot” confirm them. Protected Left have delivered an EP that remains true to their roots but has a renewed sense or urgency and purpose, it’s five tracks are evidence of a slimmed down approach to the delivery, yes the metallic elements are present but they very much take a backseat and feature only to grab your attention in a breakdown, introduction or to add some technical shredding to a solo. For me this is a positive change and indicates that Protected Left are a band that have put their upheavals behind them in the most positive manner with the release of ‘Fossil‘

 

.Protected Left can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Twitter

 

The ‘Fossil‘ EP can be streamed and purchased via Bandcamp here