EP Reaction: 'Reflecting the Inner Self' by Mirrorcell

After regularly releasing singles since August 2023, the Missouri-based metal band Mirrorcell has officially released their debut EP, entitled Reflecting the Inner Self. As their first release under InVogue Records, a subsidiary of Thriller Records, the EP consists of every song the band has released over the past year (minus “Angelbyte,” their collaboration with the nu-metal duo Darknet). The five tracks establish the band's sonic and aesthetic identity in a way that clearly showcases their influences while offering their own personal spin on those inspirations. Finding creative catalysts from a wealth of locations, Mirrorcell has a look that's reminiscent of 90s films like The Matrix (1999) and a sound that calls back to the experimental industrial groups like Nine Inch Nails and Tool, along with the modern metalcore sensibilities, making for a sound that fans of Code Orange, Bad Omens, and Loathe can gravitate to.

Kicking off the EP is the newly-released single “Tongues,” a moody Deftones-esque track that lyrically discusses the thoughts and feelings that stem from being trapped in a toxic relationship. While it may be their softest song from a musical perspective, the lyrics are the polar opposite, with the music video leaning into that dark and claustrophobic feeling as well. The following track, “ZOMBIE,” is much heavier musically, featuring hard-hitting drums and distorted guitars, along with one of Nate’s harshest vocal performances on the whole EP, second only to the following track, “dr0wn me.” The third single is one that speaks about the feeling of mental entrapment as a result of social anxiety and being stuck in one’s own mind, stopping them from moving forward in whatever situation they’re in.

Up next is “Dissolve,” another mid-tempo subdued track in comparision to the previous singles. While slightly heavier than “Tongues,” the musical atmosphere is similar in terms of the pulse and overall cadence of the instrumentation. Lyrically, the song is inspired by the sci-fi horror film Annihilation (2018) and the Greek mythological tale of Cephalus and Procris, centered around thematic elements such as betrayal and self-destruction. Closing out the EP is the first single the band released last year (and my personal favorite Mirrorcell song at the moment), “Bleach,” a high-energy ripper that I was almost certain would be the opening track due to its upbeat pace and overall catchiness. From the shoegaze-inspired chorus to the catchy drum pattern during the second verse to Nate’s diverse vocal performance, everything about this song is epic, and it’s a great move to end the EP on such a high note.

Having all of these singles together in one collective release is a nice way to announce Mirrorcell’s arrival onto the InVogue Records roster, along with introducing themselves to new fans by showing everything they’ve released over the past year all at once. It also shows the listener that no two Mirrorcell songs are the same — while the lyrical themes may contain some sort of introspective elements that can be similar from song to song, each single has their own distinct identity and energy about them. It’s one thing for a band to say they don’t want to put themselves in a box and make the same types of songs over and over again, but Mirrorcell has already shown that they’re more than willing to walk the walk.

In my conversations with Nate, speaking with him after the releases of “dr0wn me” and “Dissolve,” I’ve always been impressed with the plethora of creative media that he would cite as both musical and aesthetic influences — from horror films to the music of Björk, Knocked Loose, and everything in between, there doesn’t seem to be any ground that Mirrorcell won’t cover. As a fan, it’s fun to wonder what the next release will sound like, because there are so many potential sonic atmospheres to choose from.

All in all, Reflecting the Inner Self is a wonderful introduction to Mirrorcell, with the collection of singles offering a great impression of their sound and identity. With vocal variety (harsh screams ranging from metalcore to deathcore stylings, vocal fry/spoken word, clean choruses, even utilizing a vocoder like in the prechorus of “Tongues,” etc.) and various musical textures, Mirrorcell has proven themselves as a band to keep a close eye on. It’s going to be exciting to see what they accomplish during their partnership with InVogue Records, and I’m looking forward to the day I’ll be able to cover a full-length album from this captivating new band.

Stream Reflecting the Inner Self here.

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