Jesusfreakhideout.com: Relentless Pursuit, "The Onslaught

JFH Indie Review

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Relentless Pursuit
The Onslaught - Single

Artist Info: Discography
Street Date: February 25, 2025
Style: Metalcore
Official Site: Facebook Page
Buy It: Bandcamp

After an astonishing four albums in 2024, Matthew Konradt decided to put Relentless Pursuit on a brief hiatus at the start of the year in an effort to get back into pure, organic instrumentation without the use of AI featured in some of his recent music. However, in true Relentless Pursuit fashion, Konradt has already picked it back up and started dropping new music. His first post-hiatus single is called "The Onslaught." The intro is a little repetitive, but once we get past that, the song reminds me a lot of classic, '00s metalcore and screamo. The faster sections bring to mind acts like Symphony In Peril and even August Burns Red, while the synthy parts sound like they were pulled from Underoath's early Solid State material. Unfortunately, the production aspect has taken a bit of a step backwards. It's not egregious by any means, however, and it's a sign that the AI utilization has actually been removed. The lyrical strength has remained the same, though. The song sees Konradt acknowledging and repenting of sin, humbly begging for God's grace: "Only You are the answer to my pain / only You can wipe away the cloud of sin in my life / this hollow shell stands ready for Your reckoning / make ready my soul for Your mercy." "The Onslaught" is a solid comeback track, and it's yet another reminder of the leaps and bounds in production quality and artistry that Relentless Pursuit has made since its inception just a few short years ago.

- Review date: 3/21/25, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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Record Label: None

Album length: 1 track: 4 minutes, 12 seconds

Street Date: February 25, 2025

Buy It: Bandcamp

The Onslaught (4:12)
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Jesus Freak Hideout (Scott Fryberger): Back in January, you put Relentless Pursuit on hiatus, but it didn't seem to last long. Did you pursue any other creative endeavors in that time?

Matthew Konradt: Well, when I initially was on a brief hiatus, I was unsure of whether or not I would continue the project. I guess you could say I took a small break from everything to reset my perspective on things and do some research into what software and plugins I would use for the future.

JFH (Scott): You've now decided to get away from using artificial intelligence in your music. How do you now approach writing and producing Relentless Pursuit music post-hiatus?

Matthew: Well, I always start with the melody that's in my head. I produce the patterns with EZ drums now and I record everything using a Cubase DAW. For the guitars I started using Archetype Gojira X amp sim. I produce the vocals and lyrics last after everything else. I've also started using MIDI sound effects in my work. Honestly, I didn't want to forever rely on using AI in my music because I felt like I was living a lie. I know that a lot of artists use AI in their music and I have nothing against that personally. It was more of a personal preference for me and it was due to feeling convicted inside. I also didn't want to forget how to play an instrument.

JFH (Scott): How long did it take for "The Onslaught" to come together?

Matthew: It came about through trial and error. Lyrically it was inspired by my own depression and anxiety. Musically I wanted it to be very heavy so it fit the darkness I've felt and been through and what a lot of people go through. It honestly took maybe a week and a half to record the song and get it ready.

JFH (Scott): You've also released a second single since "The Onslaught." Is a new album on the horizon?

Matthew: Simple answer is "yes." I will be announcing the album in the hopeful near future. Also, a new single with a music video of sorts will be on it's way soon. I still have a lot of work on the album to do.

JFH (Scott): Do you anticipate slowing down your releases, or are you planning to remain as prolific as ever?

Matthew: That's a great question and most likely I will be attempting to take my time on the production of the album in the works. I want it to sound better in production than Mechanisms Of Destruction did.

JFH (Scott): What kind of lyrical themes are you going to explore in your current batch of songs?

Matthew: At the moment I am planning on the new album having a concept theme on an apocalypse of sorts hitting the earth and I want God to be used as the main ray of hope in the story.

JFH (Scott): Anything else you'd like to share?

Matthew: I really appreciate the people who take the time to listen to my music and I also appreciate you guys for everything that you do for the music industry. I look forward to releasing my new single hopefully fairly soon for people to hear.