DIABOLICAL GIRL - FOREVER AT MIDNIGHT EP REVIEW
- Kaylah Chilcott
- Mar 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Sydney punk rockers, Forever at Midnight, have just dropped their first mini EP, Diabolical Girl. The band previously released "Spider", which was received with resounding success.
They’ve turned up the gain for their Diabolical Girl mini EP, steering further into their post-hardcore sound, unlocking a higher level of intensity than ever before.
Female fronted post-hardcore acts are hard to come by, which is why Forever at Midnight is so refreshing. They’ve recently had a small lineup change, welcoming Sid as their new vocalist. For fans of Forever at Midnight’s previous singles, you’ll find Sid’s unique voice just as exhilarating and really defines their sound.
Diabolical Girl (recorded prior to Sid’s arrival) digs a bit further into their genre bending style, perfectly fusioning the heavier aspects of post-hardcore and the fun bops from their pop punk influences.
The EP unfolds with “Shattered Pieces”, immediately showcasing previous vocalist, Liv’s impressive vocal range. It’s a very strong opener, showcasing their bold style off the bat. The song's intro features lighter, daintier guitar riffs, directly opposing what we will hear at the end of the EP. The music is quite dense through the chorus, layering the guitars and bass over each other without muddying the mix, pulling back for the verse and pre chorus, the more bare parts of the song don’t sound hollow in comparison.
Up next is “I Swear, I’m Fine”, which leans into their bouncy pop punk side, the perfect song to sing along to in the car - it’s catchy as hell. Its upbeat sound hides the lyrical content a little, lines such as “I have a history and I’m the worst kind of mystery” revealing something a bit more sombre underneath. This song will resonate with those who may be assessing their own self worth, or frustrated with those around them.
Finally, we close with “Hollow Eyes”, arguably the strongest and most diverse of the track listing. It starts off tenderly, and builds the further through we get for a climactic ending. We get to hear more of Liv’s harsh vocals, which sit just behind her cleans, providing dimension in sound and tone - gorgeous cleans backed up with something darker. Throughout Diabolical girl, the drummer, Evan, has backed all the songs with a high energy beat and driving snare to tie it all together. His talent is really displayed in “Hollow Eyes”, creating upbeat passion in the guitar’s shallows.
Their singles have given the band a foothold, and this launch will solidify their place in the heavy Sydney scene. This release has showcased their ability to work across genres seamlessly, blending them together without jarring changes or stark contrasts, appealing to new pop punkers or longtime hardcore kids alike.
Forever at Midnight have announced their debut gig on May the 1st at the Bootleggers Newton, which will be their Diabolical EP Launch. Find tickets here!
7/10
