When the Southern California band Initiate plays down-the-middle hardcore, they're absolutely exemplary at it. Their riffs bring bounce and energy, and frontwoman Crystal Pak has an absolutely elemental scream. But Initiate haven't really made down-the-middle hardcore since the release of their incredibly sick 2020 EP Lavender. Instead, Initiate inject their style with soaring melodies and unexpected instrumental touches, and their scope sets them apart. They don't make new music too often, but whenever they do, I get excited.
A little more than three years ago, Initiate released their full-length debut Cerebral Circus, and it ruled. The only thing that they've put out since then is the one-off 2025 single "Too Much," but now they're coming back with a new EP called With Love // With Rage. Lead single "Numb The Pain" captures everything that's powerful about this band. The moshed-out parts go extremely hard, even with little touches like the acoustic-guitar strums on the verses. But when the breakdown seems like it's about to hit, the band instead downshifts into something much prettier. I am extremely into this. Below, check out their 'Numb The Pain" video and the With Love // With Rage tracklist.
TRACKLIST:
01 "Burn After Reading"
02 "Delusions"
03 "Shadowboxing"
04 "Numb The Pain"
05 "Future Saving Grace"
Also, Initiate just played the UK's Outbreak Fest, and Crystal Pak joined La Dispute onstage. That shit looked lit.
The With Love // With Rage EP is out 8/7 on Blue Grape Music.
