Newley formed Metalcore outfit CRYOSPHERE have a lot to prove on their newest EP "Rebirth". The six-piece ensemble from Denmark pack just enough style and sound into a very brisk 4 track EP that's worth a spin if you've got the time and the curiosity. Ultimately, your going to find most the band's strengths compiled in one track, so much so that it leaves much to be desired from the remaining songs.

I mentioned there were four tracks, but in reality, there are three. The title track "Rebirth" acts as instrumental prologue, which I'm normally not a fan of on EPs if it weren't for the fact that it leads into "Wolves and Kings". Its an exceptional song that expertly balances melancholia and anger. The entire song bleeds immediacy as vocal leads are swapped between the angelically warm highs of Sirene and the bitter cold screams of Anders. Emotionally it strikes a chord and musically it's the most complete track on the album. It's the right song to seek out when getting to know CRYOSPHERE. Overall, the band handles there sound well, concocting a convincing mix of metalcore, post-hardcore, and nu-metal that has plenty of texture to it.

Unfortunately, the rest of EP doesn't quite meet the expectations established by "Wolves and Kings". A cover of PARAMORE's "Let the Flames Begin" doesn't do much to reinvent the wheel so much as it acts as a passable tribute to one of the band's influences. The final song "Reflections" sports some pounding guitars that would seem to have all the makings another epic song on par with "Wolves and Kings", but vocally it never reaches the same heights.

In the end, the "Rebirth" EP may not have enough for you to hold onto outside of the stellar "Wolves and Kings", and that's not necessarily a bad thing.  The one song CRYOSPHERE has crafted on "Rebirth" is worth listening to many times over, and at the very least give us a glimpse at greatness. Just remember the old saying "two steps forward, two steps back", is still forward progress.