Metalcore and all the modern Metal tendencies are becoming eroded day by day. It's a normal feature, because the more fans a musical genre has, the more bands appear, and it becomes hard to hear all musical works released, and the greater part of them are a waste of time. It's sad to write these words, but to be outstanding is not for everyone. But the Swedish quartet VARICES does a good work, as the EP "Pitch Black Art" shows.

The quartet really shows musical talent on this release, because even drowned by many musical clichés of Metalcore, there are really charming parts on their songs (as the melodic moments of "Infected"). Yes, they have a very good musical potential to work, but they're still immature, a thing that experience and shows can solve. For now, their six songs are very good, filled with strong groove parts, and a technical work that isn't high. The sound quality of "Pitch Black Art" is very good, but evading the 'greasy' modern tunes that could distort the listeners' perception of what the band is up to. All sound clean, but yet heavy and aggressive, filled with a crushing weight.

The fast and brutal "Roadkill" with its nasty approach and contrast between vocals' tunes (guttural, screams and shrieks can be heard), the mix between oppressive aggressiveness and charming melodic parts of "Infected" (where a strong influence from Melodic Death Metal can be heard, along with a very good work of guitars can be heard, indeed), the slower abrasive parts of "End of Everything (NKD)" (with that usual 'jump-jump' moments during the chorus), and the nasty and modern "The Wolf Inside" (another song with some bits of Swedish Melodic Death Metal in many moments) are best ones to show that they're talented and deserve to be followed as they evolve. Maybe a greater use of Swedish Melodic Death Metal influence can make the things improve, but it's only a suggestion.

Obviously that VARICES can evolve a bit more, but "Pitch Black Art" shows a promising name for the future.