Species cover

Species

Crossfaith · 2020

17 min · 13 tracks · metalcore

An electrifying blend of electronic beats and metalcore aggression, forging a soundscape that is both frenetic and immersive.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Digital Parasite — The opening track sets an intense tone with aggressive riffs and pulsating electronic elements, encapsulating the album's fusion of genres right from the start.
  • →
    Endorphin — This track exemplifies the band's ability to combine catchy hooks with heavy instrumentation, making it a standout for its infectious energy and crowd-pleasing potential.
  • →
    Truth of Insanity — Blending introspective lyrics with high-octane instrumentals, this song captures the emotional depth present throughout the album while delivering a powerful sonic experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases energetic compositions with strong production but lacks cohesive flow due to its varied pacing.

What we noticed

  • The first five tracks maintain a high-energy tempo with aggressive guitar riffs and electronic elements, creating a relentless pace.
  • The EP includes a drum solo track that serves as an interlude, breaking the flow before returning to heavier material.
  • The final three tracks shift towards more melodic elements, providing a contrast to the preceding aggression.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • short bursts of electrifying energy
  • high-intensity tracks for workouts
  • engaging anthems for group settings
  • cathartic release of aggression

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer lengthy, immersive albums
  • want calm and soothing sounds

Where this album fits

Career context
By 2020, Crossfaith had established themselves within the electronicore genre, building on their previous album, 'Ex Machina' from 2018. 'Species' serves as a pivotal moment in their discography, showcasing their continued evolution while maintaining their signature energetic style. This release solidified their reputation as innovators in fusing electronic music with heavy metal elements.
Stylistic neighbors
The Browning· Enter Shikari· I See Stars

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Truth of Insanity

    The bridge features a poignant shift where vulnerability emerges amidst chaos, contrasting earlier intensity with moments of self-reflection.

    This structural change adds depth by juxtaposing aggressive verses with a more contemplative lyrical moment, enhancing emotional engagement.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Digital Parasite 2:44
  • 2 Endorphin 3:18
  • 3 Truth of Insanity 3:25
  • 4 None of Your Business 3:56
  • 5 Your Song 4:04

Disc 2

  • 1 Monolith
  • 2 The Perfect Nightmare
  • 3 Kill ’Em All
  • 4 Make a Move
  • 5 Drum Solo
  • 6 Freedom
  • 7 Countdown to Hell
  • 8 Milestone (Live at EX_MACHINA CLIMAX)

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata