Brazilian band PAINSIDE can trace their history back to 2003, initially calling themselves Reckoning. Under their new name they one full album and one EP to their name. “Build Your Fiction” is the latter of these, and this three track EP was released in 2013.

What we’re dealing with here is a fairly smooth take on heavy metal I guess. The guessing a slight uncertain feeling about where to pigeonhole this band for reference, as I zoned out of the ever increasing subgenres of metal years ago, when they started breeding like rabbits on amphetamine and Viagra. From what I understand they have kept breeding subgenres by the truckload for the last couple of decades too, but presumably noone will be too offended when I describe Painside’s style as heavy metal. As a fairly old man I’d probably toss in a thrash and industrial reference in the details department, admittedly as seen by someone who was most active as far as metal goes almost a generation back.

The main components on all three tracks on this EP are beefy, dark yet fairly smooth guitar riffs, in dramatic staccato manner, as pumping energetic riffs maintains a dramatic structure and with more freely flowing riff constructions or with harmony guitar soloing creating a nice flow on top of the pumping riffs. The instrumental passages tends to be carried by melody and harmony based guitar soloing too, and the lead vocals are good, strong and clear, supplemented partially by backing vocals and partially by backing snarls. The chorus sections are oriented towards the anthem, singalong variety, which suits this music well.

Painside doesn’t rewrite history with “Build Your Fiction”, but it is a well made, well produced and well performed three track EP, with songs short enough in length to stay compelling, energetic and vital contemporary metal that is well made, smooth enough to inspire fairly broadly yet aggressive enough to shy safely away from any sellout comments, at least as far as I’m concerned. A good EP that warrants a check.
My rating: 80/100