If I could describe The Long Defeat in one word it would be atmospheric. This debut five track EP from Provoker is good, very good, and perhaps that is down, in part, to a niggling notion throughout that, as good as it is through speakers and headphones, it very much needs to be seen live to be truly appreciated.
And is it any wonder when you consider the lineup features former members of Housefires, Attention Thieves and Munroe Effect. With such a wealth of experience from across a range of genres it affords Provoker the ability to step outside the generic hardcore scene, and while working within that framework, incorporate many different influences from beyond their genre and, more importantly, make them work. This is what leads The Long Defeat to be a well thought out and tightly executed piece of work.
At only five tracks long it finds that perfect balance of hooking you in enough to showcase what Provoker are capable of, while still ensuring that you’re left with a sense of longing for a little extra. This is not something easily achieved, and while this is in no way groundbreaking, it certainly is a commendable offering and intent of things to come from a band that formed only a few months ago.
It is hard to pick just one track to introduce people to Provoker with, so I would suggest opting for the opener ‘Admission’, as it is the one that perhaps showcases many of the influences more openly, allowing you a taste of what expect.
A must for fans of Architects, Underoath, Norma Jean and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster.
