EP Review - "A Place Where Silence Blooms"

Review written by Zahir Mawji, on behalf of "Chaos Under No Ties"

Time for another exclusive I say! I was granted early access to a new EP by the young lads in Along the Pines. They made their debut (at least to me) when I had the pleasure of taking the stage alongside them at the 2025 Metal to the Masses competition in Oxford. At the time they presented as fresh-faced, enthusiastic and driven. Its been a pleasure to witness their progress a year on, with the release of an official single, Ghost Town which was played ahead of release, exclusively on Chaos’s own The Blegh-Witch Project a few months ago.

Since then, they have announced an EP due for release on Friday the 13th of February and a coinciding EP release show at the Holroyd Arms in Guildford the same day. They will be joined by the might THEORIST, Kontra and The Blade Itself. Here are my thoughts on A Place Where Silence Blooms…

The EP starts with Colosseum that shares its name with an NES game from back in the day. Its already got plus points for that! It showcases some amazing guitar melodies, bolstered by some truly epic lyrics. With a title like Colosseum, I’d expect nothing less, and this track delivers. Its equal parts frenetic and old-school metal and will go down a treat live, for sure.

Next we move into Glass Eyes, whose syncopated grooves hint at another layer in the creative flower that this band is blossoming into. Whilst the vocal delivery is relentless, the chorus melodies again provide a soothing soundscape. It all builds into a satisfying breakdown with pummelling bass. I was already hooked even before the line “at night I ask myself, am I alive or just passing through” struck me. Solid from start to finish.

Next track, if you can call it that is Bald. Only a few seconds in length but it highlights the personalities in the group; its just fun. One may ask was it necessary? Check out the guys live, have a chat with them and I am sure you’ll appreciate it more.

We then move swiftly into Deadweight – another slab of driving metal. Theres a breather of sorts before the inevitable breakdown. By this point I was left questioning the dichotomy in how the band present itself physically (chirpy, fun and at the same time mature) and the sound the produce, which is arguably refined and would sit well in the early 2000s metal/groove metal setting.

Losing Sense is up next and I’m starting to feel like I might need a breather myself! Its another jab to the nose from the start, showcasing some excellent drum work and working in some key changes towards the end. It’s a strategy that works very well in keeping the assault interesting. The lyric “sometimes I lose myself in, my own reflection” has been reworked over the course of 15 years and has finally cemented its place here. The Team reveal to me that this was the most organic creation thus far, coming together in just one short evening.

And if you haven’t already checked out Ghost Town, it beautifully caps off the EP. On its own a few months ago, it served as a suitable introduction to the band, but here it has been given a new breath of life and new context as a bookend to this chapter of the Pines’ story.

If you appreciate a fresh take on groove-metal and want a new favourite band, check out the A Place Where Silence Blooms EP by Along The Pines. Tune in to The Blegh-Witch Project with our very own Mikki tomorrow 12th of February for an exclusive preview of one of the tracks from the EP and keep your ears/eyes/trousers peeled for the release on Friday the 13th. If you, come and experience the spectacle live at The Holroyd Arms in Guildford in the evening. Alternatively, they will be returning to The Jericho in Oxford on the 4th of April for heat 6 of this year’s Metal to the Masses.

"A Place Where Silence Blooms" released on all major streaming platforms on Friday 13th February 2026 - Go and listen now!