7/10

When they first broke through with their much-loved debut offering 'The Fury Of Almost' in 2018, Detroit-based outfit Marcus: The Apex Predator! established themselves as one of the more raucous entities entering the new music scene. With a fondness for big riffs and explosive textures, the band suddenly took a break from releasing new material, instead taking time to hone and develop their immersive aesthetic. And now almost seven years later, they make their eagerly-awaited return to deliver their anthemic new EP 'Newborn Fossil', a collection that sees them pick up exactly where they left off.

Right from the very beginning, 'Newborn Fossil' looks to explore these broad and euphoric moments, combining them with their flair for soaring riffs as often as possible. Filling that bridge between the emo and post-hardcore arenas of contemporary rock, this five-track outing finds them in wonderfully expressive spirits as they look to conjure some of their more thunderous material yet. Whether it's the emotive resonance of 'Lo-Fi' or the tenacious appeal of its opening title-track, Marcus: The Apex Predator! are certainly looking to return with an alright bang here.

It may have been quite some time since we last heard anything new from them, but 'Newborn Fossil' shows they are still very much on top of their creative game right now. With such a firm and confident approach to their production at every turn, we hope they don't leave it this long to bring us another fresh array of anthems again.