The Cartographer – The Cold Black EP

Until recently, Derby based The Cartographer were a band that I knew little about. An opportunity to address this was missed when I failed to catch their performance at UK Tech-Fest a few years ago. They appeared again at the 2023 edition of that festival and this time I made a point to watch them. That show coincided with the release of their EP “The Cold Black.” This was the ideal time and place for them to promote it.

Spanning 5 tracks, all under 4 minutes in length the EP clocks in around 16 minutes in total. They cram a lot into those 16 minutes and the band certainly comes out fighting. That is slightly ironic as the opening song is entitled ‘Deathbed.’ Deathcore tends to be a bit orchestral in nature, and that is the case here. There is also a slight straying into metalcore in places, the lines are blurred but it makes things more interesting.

Vocalist Jay Roberts delivers his part with suitable ferocity, as the arrangement twists and turns through brutal passages and breakdowns. It is all raucous and slightly chaotic, but at the same time comforting and beautiful. The track features a guest appearance from Josh Davies of Monasteries.

The Cartographer – Deathbed (feat. Josh Davies) (click here if the video does not play)

With a few exceptions I tend to find this kind of music more enjoyable in the live scene. After a few plays of “The Cold Black” I decided that this is one of those exceptions. The Cartographer is a band that I can enjoy both live and recorded. Continuing the theme of the release, ‘Misery System’ conjures up a dystopian world, and may well apply to the current state of the planet. Jay adopts a variety of vocal styles enhancing the feeling of despair and emotions that are derived from firsthand experiences. There is a guest appearance from Tristan Hill of Azazel on this one.

The Cartographer – Misery System (click here if the video does not play)

The short but equally intense ‘Fiend’ punches above its weight despite being the only sub three-minute track. They even managed to fit a rapid-fire guitar solo in.

The Cartographer – Fiend (click here if the video does not play)

A tumbling drum roll fades into ‘Red Tape,’ and repeats a few times amongst a variety of riffs. There are a few pauses throughout, each heralding in a fresh onslaught of complex bludgeoning.

The Cartographer – Red Tape (click here if the video does not play)

Mental health is a big part of lyrical makeup, and this is a way for the band to show empathy towards anyone suffering with this. Starting off slower ‘Vices’ soon picks up pace but takes a couple of breathers by way of breakdowns. This track finishes off this EP and it feels like it is over too fast.

The Cartographer – Vices (click here if the video does not play)

Polymath PR, the band’s promoter, is quoted as saying “The Cold Black” EP is only a taste of what is yet to come from The Cartographer. Exciting news indeed and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next. I hope I get to see the band again someday, that could well be at another Tech-Fest event, who knows?

Track-list:

1. Deathbed
2. Misery System
3. Fiend
4. Red Tape
5. Vices