Cape Riot are new kids on the block but it doesn’t feel like it. Since their debut in 2023, the Cape Town-based band have steadily been building a following through live shows, and their latest self-titled EP sees them firmly establish themselves as a band on the rise.
Characterised by a style somewhat akin to Deftones and Sunny Day Real Estate, Cape Riot brims with promise. “Trust” is a powerful introduction to the four-piece project, meshing grunge and metal with Joshua Swanepoel’s gritty vocals.
“Disconnect” follows, and it’s heavy, with a solid chorus-line that’s brilliantly 2000s-esque in style – an impassioned plea for release from life’s strains.
In fact, the difficulty of life is a recurring theme across this brooding debut. “Sickness” laments the burdens society places on us, capturing the struggle of staying afloat amid turmoil, while high energy closer “Trust” addresses the complex nature of emotional exploitation. The song sounds derivative of Slipknot, bringing “Duality” to mind.
Cape Riot offers a glimpse into a bright future for this brazen trio, so be sure to check them out and catch a show if you can – it will certainly be worth your while.
