Somehow, despite the band’s intentions, putting this emphasis on the songs somehow hasn’t resulted in better songs. It’s not because Species deviates from what we’ve come to expect; opener Digital Parasite packs all the musical trademarks – multiple changes of pace, Prodigy-esque synths – and even has a title that could have come out of a Crossfaith song name generator. Packing no surprises can be an issue, but it’s a forgivable one if what you are providing is as good as usual, but it’s just not here. There’s something missing on Endorphin. It has a frantic pace, though this only serves to exaggerate the listlessness of its ideas, as it speeds around trying to track down a point of cohesion it never quite finds. The same applies to Truth Of Insanity and None Of Your Business, the latter featuring rapper Jin Dogg, who also hails from Osaka, before we arrive at Your Song.
This closing track is as close as Species comes to a change of pace and offering something new. Emotions, other than pure elation, aren’t necessarily something we’ve come to associate with Crossfaith’s music, but Your Song provides a welcome burst of it. That’s not to say it’s a tinkering piano ballad, of course, but it’s enough of a diversion to suggest something more – though not quite enough of one to salvage this EP. Overall, Species hasn’t evolved enough to justify its existence.
Verdict: 2/5