So not only has this Washington, D.C., band changed their name (from Love in a Time of Cholera), we have a pretty significant stylistic change and both are for the better. Their self released full light The Sun Through Glass was solid, catchy of Hot Topic-y styled ‘core record that showed promise, but on this 5 song EP, Time of Cholera have been developed a case of musical tetanus and gone all infected and caustic on us, with slight discoloration of ambient drone throne in, and it’s pretty good.The opening title track with its melodic canter, initially has some slight leftovers from their prior sound, but with far more bite and no “poppy” vocals. The track also has far more of a nasty attitude during its rumbling mid-section, that makes the track virtually unrecognizable from their previous effort. “Devourer” is a staggering display of lumbering discordance that fits in line with the likes of Century, Engineer, Swarm of the Lotus, Achilles et al, but “White Sand” is where the band starts to really show their style shift; a 4 and a half minute droning, ambient interlude, that while interrupted by the caustic spasms, impressive lurch and epic climax of “Into Badlands” sees its experimental tones continued for closer “Fully Collapsed (Collapsed and Expanded),” yet another droning instrumental track, that cements the band’s change in attitude.

With a grittier, more acidic guitar tone, more vocal vitriol and an overall sense of improved, less scene based song structures, Time of Cholera look to being giving their rather bubble gum core core past a swift kick in the nuts and move on to far more impressive things and I look forward to hearing how its fully realized on a full length album.

[Visit the band's website]

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