Parting Gift Releases Ensom EP, Chilling Music Video for “3:07 (Moonlight)”

Manchester-based hardcore band Parting Gift released their first EP Ensom through Fearless Records on March 22nd, in addition to a new music video for climactic track “3:07 (Moonlight).”

In congruence with the group’s discography, the single speaks of darkness and hardships while maintaining a soft simplicity throughout the track, which erupts with soaring riffs and crashing cymbals just before the two minute mark. About the song, vocalist Zac Vernon explains, “This is the first cry for help, the plea to the enemy. When one attempts to face their nemesis and ask what it wants, only to realize it wants nothing but the suffering. It is the understanding that the paralysis it brings about one can only endure without fighting it. This is where one surrenders themselves to the black water.”

The lyrics have a complex undertone of wanting pain in an effort to chase any sort of emotion, noted in the resounding line “I need darkness to see.” Encased in the track, as well, is vulnerability with this darkness. Beautiful and calming, Vernon’s voice bends around each guitar stroke and thump of the bass drum, which builds in staggering momentum until the final notes of the song fade away.

Echoing this theme, the video is full of shadows and images of shifting lights and guitars over Vernon singing into the mic. The shuttered quality is reminiscent of a nineties punk video, with lyrics displayed at the bottom of the frame in pure VHS tape fashion.

Vernon discusses the writing process, stating, “Going into Parting Gift, I was viewing everything in a really negative light. Even though things have changed now, I can still channel all of that negativity into the way I write. I could be in the best mood but I could still come up with the darkest lyrics. I just couldn’t write something happy now.”

This eloquent pain is representative of Parting Gift’s work since the start of the band in 2017 with single “Be Still.” Combining grunge, black metal, and indie rock, their sound coalesces into something that feels entirely new and familiar in the same breath.

Parting Gift is comprised of Zac Vernon on vocals, Peter Vybiral and Jack Dutton on guitars, and George Barnes on drums. They have previously toured with Neck Deep, Blood Youth, Holding Absence, and many others. Check out the videos for “3:07 (Moonlight),” “Be Still,” and “In Mind” below.