Detroit’s always been a breeding ground for raw, gritty rock that doesn’t give a damn about playing nice. Now, Marcus: the Apex Predator! (M:tAP!) – the city’s own post-hardcore hellraisers – just unleashed “Newborn Fossil,” a five-track EP that doesn’t just bring that spirit back; it kicks it into overdrive, burns rubber, and leaves your ears ringing. This ain’t no comeback. It’s a full-on, pedal-to-the-metal rebirth.
Kevin Watts (guitars, vocals, songwriting mastermind) and Nick Marko on drums – both from the criminally slept-on Float Here Forever – started M:tAP! back in 2015 as a big middle finger to the mainstream and a love letter to Detroit’s grimy underbelly. Their 2018 debut “The Fury of Almost” got people talking (Rock the Pigeon even called their single “What Say You?” the best thing to happen to post-hardcore in years). But then life happened – day jobs, COVID, Float Here Forever getting back together – and M:tAP! went quiet. Now it’s 2025, and these cats are back with vengeance, bringing in Sean Bondareff from Kind Beast to lay down the bass. This trio’s channeling all the snarls and yowls of Marcus (yeah, the actual cat they named themselves after) into a sound that’ll melt your brain and punch you in the gut at the same time.
Jake Shives produced this beast, and Detroit legend Dave Feeny (yeah, the Grammy winner) put the final polish on it at Tempermill. “Newborn Fossil” is pure, beautiful mayhem. It’s dirtier than the floor of your favourite dive bar but sharp enough to cut glass. Every scream, every crash, every face-melting riff hits exactly where it should – and that’s saying something for an EP that bounces from alt-rock swagger to pop-punk hooks to prog-metal insanity without missing a beat.
Track-by-Track: This Album Will Blow Your Mind
1. “Newborn Fossil” – The title track kicks open the door with a riff that’s kinda garage rock meets math geek. Watts is practically spitting the lyrics, going on about music freezing memories in time. Meanwhile, Marko’s beating those drums like they owe him money, and Bondareff’s bass is sneaking around underneath, holding it all together. It’s loud, it’s in your face, and I can’t stop hitting replay.
2. “Lo-Fi” – Okay, don’t be fooled by the name. This ain’t no scratchy demo tape – it’s a slick pop-punk banger with a wink and a nod. Watts is giving us all the early 2000s feels, singing about obsolete tech over these bright, jangly guitars. But don’t worry, their hardcore roots keep things from getting too sugary sweet. And can we talk about that rhythm section? Bondareff and Marko are locked in tight, hitting so hard you’ll feel it in your chest.
3. “The First Summer” – Pure punk adrenaline. Watts’ guitar sounds like it’s trying to slice through your speakers, while Marko’s going absolutely nuts on the cymbals. It’s all about breaking free and feeling alive again – you know, that rush you get when you finally bust out of a rut? That pre-chorus is gonna have you pumping your fist and screaming along. It’s cathartic as hell.
4. “Plenty & Shine” – Here’s where M:tAP! flexes their prog muscles. The guitars go full-on psychedelic, twisting and turning around Bondareff’s deep, growling bass. Watts sings about waking up shocked, his mind leaking – it’s all hazy memories and foggy mornings after wild nights. But even when they’re showing off their musical skills in the instrumental parts, the raw feeling never gets lost. It’s technical, yeah, but it hits you right in the gut.
5. “No Fraction” – If you want to know what this band is really capable of, this is the track. The EP’s climax is a benchmark of badassery in tension-and-release. t starts off dark and moody, then builds and builds until the whole thing just explodes. There’s screaming, there’s feedback, there’s Watts yelling about losing himself in relationships. His voice sounds like it’s about to give out completely while the rest of the band goes absolutely nuts behind him. When it’s over, you’ll be out of breath and scrambling to hit play again.
Shives and Feeny’s production on this thing is like getting punched in the face by sound. It’s raw as hell, but every instrument still cuts through like a knife. The guitars are growling, the bass makes your chest rattle, and Marko’s snare? It’s like a fucking gunshot to the ears. Somehow, they’ve made this thing sound like it was recorded in a garage, but with the precision of brain surgery. It’s dirty and pristine all at once.
Newborn Fossil isn’t just M:tAP! coming back – it’s them kicking down the door and pissing on the welcome mat. They’re not here to remind you of 2018, they’re here to make you forget every other band you’ve ever heard. The riffs will melt your face off, and Watts’ lyrics? They’ll make you want to get his words tattooed on your forehead. This EP proves that Detroit hasn’t put out anything this vital since… well, maybe ever.
Early reviews aren’t just positive—they’re borderline evangelical. Alt77.com calls it “a great, modern record,” while Mystic Sons raves, “shows they’re still on top of their creative game.” But forget the hype. Push the volume of this EP past pain, and you’ll feel it in your teeth. Marcus: the Apex Predator! doesn’t just make music; they write songs that detonate on impact. Newborn Fossil is out now. Stream it, download it, or blast it through your neighbour’s wall. Just don’t pretend you’re ready for it.
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