EP REVIEW: What Will Be – Primordial

‘…the sound of a band that is wholly unafraid of experimenting with their identity, and in doing so, have carved out an electrifying niche for themselves…’

What Will Be have been a band in flux. The Manchester-based four-piece released their debut single back in 2022, and started out as something of a straight-cut alternative rock band. Yet as time has gone on, the band’s sound has shifted and morphed into something far more progressive in nature; their 2024 singles, especially ‘Singularity‘, hearkened back to the early days of Thrice and Incubus, with a distinctive grungy, post-hardcore flair.

Late last year, the band finally returned with their brand new single, ‘Tides’, and would go on to announce their sophomore EP, ‘Primordial’. Conceptually driven by the four elements, What Will Be are careful to navigate what could have been an uninspired body of work to produce something that feels creative, diverse, and thoroughly engaging.

‘On the Wind‘ is a sweeping rock number that plays dramatic vocals against punchy riffs and sparkling yet understated orchestral elements. There’s a real retro flair to the track, harnessing the driving thunder of 80’s metal. ‘Tides‘ features a waltzing rhythm that instantly evokes the exact sentiments that What Will Be are aiming for; alternative metal riffs build up and barrel down upon the listener as the track ebbs and flows between stirring verses and powerful choruses.

On ‘Into the Fire‘, the band retain their rocking grit whilst also permitting listeners a glimpse at their softer side. The verses smoulder with an understated, bluesy energy, before spiralling upwards into spirited choruses that feature some of the band’s best vocal work to date; the falsettos work beautifully against a backdrop of buoyant bass lines and glimmering keys. Taking things to the opposite end of the spectrum, ‘Fall from Earth‘ showcases What Will Be at their heaviest. A searing lead guitar riff gives way to moshable rhythms that strike like a shot of pure adrenaline, whilst the choruses drape dramatic melodies against surprising vocal growls that fit perfectly into the dense grit of the band’s sound. All of this builds towards a truly immense climax that feels like the fully realised sound of What Will Be.

Witnessing the evolution of What Will Be has been a pleasure through and through, and what the band offer on ‘Primordial‘ not only serves as the perfect introduction to the band, but also rewards long-time listeners with their most accomplished tracks to date. This is the sound of a band that is wholly unafraid of experimenting with their identity, and in doing so, have carved out an electrifying niche for themselves. If you have yet to pay attention to What Will Be, then this is the time to start doing so.

RATING: 77/100

For Fans Of: Thrice, Incubus, Mile Marker Zero, Coheed & Cambria, Creed, Foo Fighters

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