In 2015 Free, made up mostly of former members of Have Heart, released their first demo. It featured a lot of the same style that Have Heart did: smart lyrics, fast, heavy instruments, and a lot of shouting. Two years later Free has released another EP, Ex Tenebris, and it show cases the same thought provoking lyrics we have come to expect but with more complex playing from the band.

Released on Triple B Records Ex Tenebris consists of four songs with a few different themes. Sisyphus is a call to action against those who keep putting hate into the world, with an opening drum roll that sucks the listener in. Out of Darkness is about searching for light in the dark and has an awesome guitar break. With perhaps one of the best bass lines of the year, Equity Head decries false equality and demands something better. The last track, May I Be I, reflects on what it means to be a punk and a man in the hardcore scene and is backed by chaotic drums and guitar.

Each individual song is good, my favorite is Equity Head, but as a whole they blend together a little bit. Each song has something small that causes it to stand out from the rest, but also contain much of the same elements. The true standout on the record is Patrick Flynn’s vocals, each song is shouted with so much feeling that the listener knows Flynn truly believes in what he singing about.

Overall Ex Tenebris is a strong follow up to Free’s first demo and a good heir to the legacy of Have Heart. Their next release will be even better if the band continues on their current path.