Midwest Heavy: Milwaukee’s Surefire

Surefire, a rising metalcore band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, carries a distinctive sound blending an energetic youthful perspective with classic elements of heavy riffs and aggressive vocals. Surefire honors the genre’s roots while carving out their unique niche. Their passionate performances and innovative approach have captivated audiences, garnering a dedicated following and positioning them as a standout band in the ever-evolving landscape of heavy music.

The debut EP, Holehearted, released in 2023, features six tracks that firmly establish its place in the metalcore subgenre. Opening with “Slow Bleed,” the EP kicks off with binaural waves of sound that swiftly morph into the band’s trademark heavy riffs. The drums, steady at first, navigate through tempo changes with precision, seamlessly transitioning into the second track, “Scars.” The lyrical depth of “Scars” delivers a direct and aggressive message that enthralls listeners. Frontman Joseph Coleman’s screams and gutturals are clear and vibrant, conveying the raw, gut-wrenching emotions at the heart of the song.

Shaping The Sound: Influences and Inspiration

Coleman says about his influences, “Matt McDougal from Boundaries and John Matalone from Vctms are closest representations to what my vocal style is, but for me personally, the sound that I try to generate, I have more emphasis on the art than I do the music. I want my vocal tones to emphasize the lyrics behind the work. So, if they’re sad lyrics then I want more panic behind my voice. If it’s aggressive, hardcore stuff then I want more ‘oompf’ behind it.”

In the single “Salt The Wound,” Coleman’s range is demonstrated in his transitions from screams, gutturals, and nearly clean vocals. The nuances of changes within specific lyrics convey a particular experience for the listener. Meanwhile, the instrumentation matches Coleman’s intensity with a progression of brutality. Bassist, Ian Trigg explains, “Doing a track this heavy was great for me, ’cause I got to return to my ignorantly heavy roots. Thanks to Varials for the inspiration.” Cameron Padget, guitarist of Surefire, adds, “Salt The Wound was our first step outside of Holehearted and the reception has been nothing short of amazing. If you know Surefire then you know we don’t just have one sound and that’s what I think is cool about us. We know a lot of you guys like heavy, so that’s exactly what we did with this song.”

With the follow-up to Holehearted already in development, Surefire proves they are poised to leave a lasting impact on the genre. To support the band in producing the next EP, you can check out their merch in their online store and stream their music on all major platforms.

Band Members

Joseph Coleman, Vocals

Jake Heckel, Guitar

Cameron Padget, Guitar

Ian Trigg, Bass

Devin Taylor, Drums

Music Video

Watch the “Salt The Wound” music video. here.

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