REVIEW: Algae Bloom - …it lasts forever, and then it’s over

Here comes a sad one. The spectacular UK screamo trio ALGAE BLOOM are done. They’ve played their last show (this writer was at the second-last one), they’ve now released their last music, and can’t be long off shipping their final bits of merch off. So, in order to give them a little more of a send-off, it’s only right to show them a little love and cover the last music that the band will be putting out.

Across just thirteen minutes and three tracks, …it lasts forever, and then it’s over does what screamo should at its best. Cutting deep to the soul with visceral and vulnerable shrieks, staccato-burst stabs of guitar cutting across explosive drums that all serve to compliment the whole, it’s a tour-de-force in why we’re absolutely gutted to be losing the band. When discussing this, the band stated that it is “a record in dialogue with all that we have created up until now”. Carrying on, they note that “these songs are a reflection on a decade of growth, change and turmoil both as individuals and as a band. They mean everything to us.” If that doesn’t sum up the weight of the emotion found within, nothing will.

life in blight starts off the swan song in brilliant fashion, every heartfelt yell bringing up a lump in the throat without being even halfway into the EP. drowning numbers carries on the slightly higher intensity end of their sound, still pulling on heartstrings and dragging the listener into a flood of tears and emotions, before the final ALGAE BLOOM song ever can wrap proceedings up for the very last time. and yet, still… is about six minutes in length and grows from graceful, delicate beginnings into an abrasive and painful piece that feels like the only truly correct way for a band like this to leave us.

It won’t take you long to listen to the entire release. Less than fifteen minutes of your time and you’ll be finished - as long as you’re happy to manage the almost inevitable blurry eyes and stifled sobs this will draw out. It’s a beautiful, deeply personal set of songs that can’t be described adequately with mere words. The group will live on in our hearts and minds and souls long after this, and have helped to foster a UK screamo scene that’s healthier than ever in their time together, so there’s a horde of new acts who will take the spirit of ALGAE BLOOM forward with them. But the scene will never quite be the same without them.

RIP ALGAE BLOOM. You will be sorely and dearly missed.

Score: 10/10

…it lasts forever, and then it’s over will be self released on 5th June 2026.

Words: Jasmine Longhurst

Photos: Algae Bloom