Hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, EXITWOUNDS has become another band signed by Sharptone Records (CRYSTAL LAKE, ATTILA, EMMURE). On February 22, 2019, the band dropped their EP "Visions" onto the world of Metalcore. With an already impressive line-up, Sharptone Records continues to find raw hidden talent and spread it amongst the world that is eager for this style of music. Even though the band have been through some member changes, they seem to have caught the ears of the right people. With the main lyrical theme of living life your own way versus being born or force fed orthodoxies, they also touch upon addiction, grief, and lust.

The EP's first track, "Visions," starts out heavy, reminding me of KING'S 810. The minute long start is only a prelude to "Hades".  The song is brutal, but lets go into a softer side alongside clean vocals. UNDEROATH comes to mind during this part. As Alec Harter screams, the power notes only enhance the message being conveyed by the band. It is a refreshing reminder that Metalcore is still alive and well. "Transparency" comes in sort of slow, but it doesn't take long for the band to pick up the pace. Those screams let out pent up emotion as the chorus eases into those clean vocals once again. "You've only got yourself to blame" is a beautiful line that presents itself like a blooming flower in a field of death. The song is just an immaculate masterpiece that transcends what the band really is about. "Medusa" is more of a mellow tune. There are more clean vocals than the distorted growls of Harter. Lines like "I wanna be free, From the death in your eyes" and "Empty promises that all fell through, And now you've got me in the palm of your hand" bring the song into ballad territory, but the band seems to take the thought and twist it in your head. "Choices" is the fifth track on the six-song EP. It brings back the brutality musically and vocally. There are still clean vocals, but not as much as the previous tracks. Lines of "I'm alone with this love that I lack, I clinch my throat with rope, I'm not turning back" and "There's so many different voices, The ones in my head are the ones I fear" place solid foundations under the song structure. The darkness of the song is a haunting reminder of what so many go through every day. The album finale, "Scars," is another softer ballad. The calls of "Please don't leave, you made a promise Please stay with me until the end, I know I've made my mistakes, But can't you see? I'll take these secrets to the grave" place more emotion to the song. "I'm dyin' for some change, Before this rips my life away, Why won't God speak my name? Is it a waste of time or can I be saved?" calls out to the heartbroken listener. You can feel the pain of the words deep within your soul, and they just will not let you go.

I wasn't expecting what I was about to hear. The music is beautifully orchestrated around the vocals of Alec Harter.  Lanny Randolph, Josh Redman, Charlie Callahan all do a wonderful job in the construction of the songs that seem to enhance Harter's vocal talents. I hate the fact the band are in a state of purgatory and I truly hope they have some tricks up their sleeves. It isn't often you find such a young band with this kind of talent. With the energy of "Transparency," or you find yourself singing along to "Medusa" or "Scars," EXITWOUNDS will hopefully arise from their current state and give us some of the unreleased material that is hiding and waiting to be heard.