Marcus: the Apex Predator! Unveil "Newborn Fossil" EP

Detroit’s, Marcus: the Apex Predator! (M:tAP!) has always existed in the spaces between melding melody with aggression, crafting thoughtful yet electrifying compositions, and weaving together angular riffs that still manage to stick in your head long after the music stops. With their latest EP, "Newborn Fossil", they return after a years-long hiatus, reminding listeners exactly why their 2018 debut, "The Fury of Almost", turned so many heads in the post-hardcore and indie rock scenes.

Formed in 2015 by Kevin Watts (guitars, vocals, songwriter) and his Float Here Forever bandmate, Nick Marko (drums and percussion), M:tAP! takes pride in their Detroit roots and their ability to resist easy classification. After stepping away from the project due to life’s inevitable twists and turns—including a pandemic and a record with Float Here Forever—Watts and Marko have re-emerged with bassist Sean Bondareff (Kind Beast) to deliver, "Newborn Fossil", a five-track powerhouse recorded and mixed by Jake Shives and mastered by Grammy-winning Detroit legend Dave Feeny at Tempermill Studios.

Early reactions to the EP have been overwhelmingly positive. The EP’s title track and lead single, "Newborn Fossil", is a striking example of what makes M:tAP! such an exciting force. The song is a controlled explosion of post-hardcore energy, featuring intricate, off-kilter guitar riffs that snap into tight grooves before unraveling into something more chaotic. Watts' vocals shift between raw, urgent yells and melodic introspection, giving the track a dynamic emotional pull. Marko’s drumming is relentless yet precise, and Bondareff’s bass work glues everything together with a sense of weight and urgency. Lyrically, "Newborn Fossil", is both reflective and forward-looking, touching on themes of rebirth, resilience, and the paradox of carrying the past while forging ahead. It encapsulates the EP’s core ethos—evolution through adversity.

Beyond the lead single, the EP continues to showcase the band’s signature balance of power and nuance. Each track highlights their ability to seamlessly shift between jagged, aggressive moments and atmospheric, melodic passages. The project as a whole is a high-energy barrage of sonic-goodness that holds on from the first track to the last.

The interplay between the guitar work, pounding rhythms and high-octane vocals creates a sense of upheaval, combining soaring melodies with moments of crushing intensity, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of awe and reflection.

What sets, "Newborn Fossil", apart from other post-hardcore and indie rock releases is its unwillingness to adhere to a formula. Each song is crafted with care, balancing visceral intensity with introspection. The production, helmed by Jake Shives and polished by Dave Feeny’s expert mastering, captures the raw energy of the band while maintaining clarity and depth, allowing every jagged edge and soaring chorus to hit with full impact.

M:tAP! has delivered a record that feels both urgent and timeless, tapping into the kind of raw, unfiltered emotion that defines great post-hardcore while refusing to be boxed into any one genre. They have found a niche that truly feels like their own—a sound that is unpredictable yet cohesive, aggressive yet melodic, familiar yet undeniably unique.

With, "Newborn Fossil", Marcus: the Apex Predator! proves that they are far from fossilized. This is a band that still has fire in its veins, pushing forward while never forgetting where they came from. If this EP is any indication, their evolution is only just beginning.