After exploding on the scene in 2019 with a single and continuing to build buzz and followers from there, GEL have been having a moment since the release of last year’s Only Constant, one of the best hardcore records of that year. Relentless touring to bigger and bigger crowds and across-the-board praise from the press has primed them for yet another leap, and they triumph on Persona, a blistering five-track EP that showcases the band’s desire to stretch the boundaries of hardcore. They self-applied the descriptor Hardcore for the Freaks, and this is five more songs for the initiated to love that seems primed to break them to an even bigger audience.
These five songs run almost as long as the ten tracks on Only Constant, and where that record’s charm was its relentlessness, Persona has room to stretch out. But that is relative; the tracks are all under three minutes, whereas most of the predecessors came in under two. Only Constant is such a complete statement that there was no point in trying to repeat it, so it is thrilling to hear GEL experiment with tempos, more metallic riffs, and even some spoken vocals. Sami Kaiser is one of the most irresistibly enjoyable frontpeople in hardcore, and here, her vocals are even more ferocious and confident. The group sound even more locked in, undoubtedly the result of the endless touring. The interplay between guitarists Anthony Webster and Maddi Nave has sharpened, and the rhythm section of bassist Matthew Bobko and drummer Alex Salter drive and elevate their massive riffs.
As the title suggests, the lyrics focus on people and how they present to the world. Where Only Constant had a lot of positive energy, Kaiser is in a darker, more reflective place this time. “Mirage” opens the set with the provocative lines “I’ll draw a devil on the wall / Etched with your memories”, and within seconds, the band are off with a classic driving GEL beat and end the song with a patented GEL breakdown. The production is massive. From there, “Shame” is downright catchy, with some gang vocals toward the song’s end, which is a welcome addition.
“Persona” also rages along like classic GEL, with the shifting tempos they have become known for. “Martyr” starts similarly to the Helmet classic “Unsung”, but it explodes quickly instead of building and building as that song does. Closer “Vanity” begins with a stomping metal riff. This new vibe fits the group well and is a prime example of what makes GEL such a breath of fresh air in the scene. Their ability to weave new influences in their sound while remaining instantly identifiable sets them apart.
With every GEL release, they seem more and more comfortable with their identity, and fittingly, Persona is another satisfying chapter of that evolution. It would have been perfectly acceptable to stay in the lane they established with Only Constant, which sounds as fresh as it did upon release, but the growth shown here makes one excited about how they will show up next time.