I feel like you can look at “Underrated” in a couple of ways.  On the one hand, and the most positive side of the scenario, I don’t think it can be denied that it works.  On the other hand, this would be the kind of song that really borrows from tried, tested, and true methods…the kind of track that feels tremendously inorganic like it has been grown in a lab, with results that are fairly predictable in that regard.  Now, what people will often skip over, is the fact that this doesn’t HAVE to be a bad thing whatsoever – that’s really up to Continua and how they view what they create.  If they’re looking to create BIG STADIUM tunes that people can sing and clap along with, then “Underrated” proves they can accomplish that goal without a doubt.  It’s a little more to the direction that you’d find something like Imagine Dragons is in by comparison to something like we heard in “The Beauty Of Letting Go,” which was a bit of a surprise, but admittedly, these two songs were my first experience with Continua’s music.  I dig that we get to have a better glimpse of guitarist Jason “Iceman” Mulkey’s chops on this second track, and I feel like it confirms that Alex Crockett is as steady as they come as well.  Bishop sings really clearly and always on-key, but he’s still got some space to really own the moment and take us with him as we listen.  As I’ve said many times on these pages of ours throughout the years, there’s no shame in creating a flawless tune, and that remains just as true as ever in the context of this particular single.  Just because we might see its twists & turns coming from quite a distance, or feel like the beat & the way that “Underrated” moves is something we’ve experienced throughout many corners of the music scene in a variety of ways already, still doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be proud of how seamless the end product is, you know what I mean?  It takes a whole lot of effort from a band to get a song sounding like everything is in the right place, and I feel like Continua deserves their due credit for getting this track to be as professionally polished as it is.  That being said, y’all know I exist solely to challenge all the artists/bands to tap into their absolute best…and if I’m being real with ya, I feel like Continua sounds like they are still searching for their identity and what makes them different from anything else that’s out there already.  It’s not something that happens overnight…it can actually take years and years, if it even happens at all.  In the grand scheme of things, they’re still a very young band on the early side of their timeline – Continua has space to evolve and grow though, which is always a good thing to have, in my opinion.  There’s plenty of time for them to build on what they’ve started with their debut record Daybreak from 2022, and their versatility could certainly be a huge strength going forward, but it is an aspect of making music that can definitely make it harder to achieve that ever-elusive identity at the same time.  At the end of the day, they’ve created a real anthem for the underdog on “Underrated,” and they could very well go on to be playing this track in packed sports arenas with fans waving their rally towels for the home team – I might not know half as much about sports as I do about music, but I’m assuming that that can’t be a bad thing.  There’s good stuff brewing here…I don’t know if I know quite what it is yet – or if even they do, but they have all the right pieces they need to succeed, a highly capable band, and clear desire to entertain ya. - Sleeping Bags Studios

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“The Beauty Of Letting Go” is honestly quite an interesting choice to have put out there as a single…it’s got a fairly anti-typical design to what we tend to associate with tracks that can often be the gateway into the rest of the catalog.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s still plenty of appeal to it…but yeah…strange choice all the same.  It’s sitting in that dangerous mid-tempo that tends to be confusing as all hell for the listening audience…they don’t know whether to get their mosh on, just bounce a little bit on their heels, or stand still and watch, you know what I mean?  To me, when you’re listening to the verses of “The Beauty Of Letting Go,” they actually have a lot in common with the way a band like Alice In Chains would approach their structure/melody combinations…it’s sludgy, a little on the desolate side of energy, and it also gives them the room they need to amp things up further in the chorus, which Continua goes on to do, almost like something you’d hear in Tesseract.  Nothing too crazy for the most part, though it’s worth noting that the final thirty or forty seconds of this track move a lot faster than you’d probably realize.  Bishop Battle keeps things sounding like they’re not moving at warp speed through the controlled delivery he brings to “The Beauty Of Letting Go” in the vocal department, but you’ll notice that the band is moving at a much more frantic pace towards the end, which kind of gives you the best of both worlds during the finale of this single.  I am a huge fan of the way that Brian Buckalew plays bass – this dude has been slayin’ it from beginning to end in this cut, but it’s still just as fair to say that he takes it all up another level when it comes to the way they finish off this song.  All-in-all, when it comes to “The Beauty Of Letting Go,” I feel like between Battle & Buckalew, they give you plenty of reason to listen to this single.  Battle still has room to do more if he ever feels so inclined…he seems like he’s got flashes of a Patton-esque potential to him in there somewhere deep down, or again, something along the lines of Daniel Tompkins from Tesseract.  The song works…there are memorable aspects to it that I think are stronger than most might realize if they were to just spin it once or twice, but if you put some listening into this track from your side of the speakers, it won’t take you all that much longer to really have those main hooks sink in permanently.  It’s got an energy to it that tends to be tougher on the masses, but I have the feeling Continua could really make this track a massive highlight when playing live.  As it stands, it’s already a pretty large track around the 5:20-ish mark, but if they really wanted to unleash the beast, they could take the finale of this song for a serious ride onstage & expand this closer to the ten minute mark and I’m confident no one in the audience would even think of complaining.  The potential for the fireworks to come out at the end of “The Beauty Of Letting Go” certainly exists, 100%; I don’t think they quite chose to take it in that direction for the recorded version that we hear, but anytime they wanna choose to LIGHT THIS MOTHER UP live from the stage, I can pretty much guarantee it’ll take this song out of its mid-tempo energy and send the whole crowd into a complete frenzy.  Always a good card to have in the back of your pocket…”The Beauty Of Letting Go” could be the kind of live highlight no one would forget. - Sleeping Bags Studios

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Continua’s latest single, "The Beauty of Letting Go," strikes a delicate balance between nostalgia and modernity, channeling a sonic lineage that echoes Linkin Park's raw intensity and Evanescence's dark, gothic allure. 

The opening beat nods toward Foo Fighters' "My Hero," but the comparison fades quickly as the track veers into more ominous, atmospheric territory. With its fusion of metal and gothic rock, the song feels like a brooding anthem that never quite lets you relax.

The hook—"There’s nothing you can say"—lands like a gut punch, carried by the vocalist's searing delivery. Behind them, the rest of the band delivers a performance as tight as it is relentless. Pay special attention to the bass around the three-minute mark—it’s slick, subtle, but perfectly executed. And as the track barrels toward its climax, the drumming escalates with a precision that’s hard to ignore.

While "The Beauty of Letting Go" taps into a familiar soundscape, there's an undeniable energy that makes it feel fresh. The song’s weight and intensity demand attention, even when played at low volumes—proof that Continua knows how to rock with purpose. - Pitch Perfect

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Flagship is a riveting album from Continua, featuring an inventive rock sound with big-time hooks. The tracks within impress with unique fervor, ranging from the soaring accessibility of "Fluorescent" to anthemic alt-rockers like "Simple Plan." Flagship shows a passionate, highly melodic sound that remains consuming throughout its duration. - Obscure Sound

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Continua embrace a dark, sleek beauty on the pristine “Flagship EP”. They craft a true classic with this singular work. Everything, from the stately grandeur of the rhythms to the regal riffs that run through it all gives it a heavy, heady quality. Vocals have a deep resonating quality nicely reflecting a nod to Ian Curtis’s delivery. Lyrics aim for a poetic affect for the words are carefully chosen and balanced for maximum emotional impact. The whole band plays off each other for the group interplay feels majestic. Stylistically they are firmly grounded in a darkwave aspect, bringing together elements of post-punk, industrial, hard rock, and classical into a cohesive whole. Joy Division’s influence can be felt throughout the EP. From the singular physicality of the rhythm section to the mournful guitars that gracefully glide through. Instrumentation like the sparkling cadence of the piano further add to this quality. Quite spacious soundscapes, they also draw from more modern groups. Pieces of Interpol’s playbook appear throughout from the slow yet steady tempos that further emphasize the dramatic to the unexpected twists and turns of the cinematic flourishes. Beyond this, the lyrics oftentimes draw from the yearning passion of Depeche Mode’s storytelling capabilities. Things start up on a high note with the crystal clarity of the anthemic opener “The Darkest City”. Quite lush the atmospherics wash over the listener. On the flip side of this approach is the driving intensity of “Fluorescent”. “Simple Plan” slows things down to a languid pace. Within this expressive work they hit a high point for the EP, as the song’s tension is allowed to build and build until it becomes positively symphonic. With soaring guitar and insistent piano work “Echoes” expands out into the infinite for they cover such vast geography, as the vocals have a fire behind them. Incorporating a surprisingly tender folk ballad into the fray is the spirited bloom of “Always Tomorrow”. Nicely embodying all that came before it is the patient persistent “Daybreak” which brings things to a close. “Flagship EP” reveals Continua to be masters of their craft, sculpting a truly classic, timeless sound. - Skope Magazine

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Magic happens when musicians collaborate together to create. Continua is the brainchild of darkwave singer Bishop Battle, Day of Awakening’s Brian Buckalew, and guitarist/songwriter Jason Mulkey, who are joined by Maiden Cane lead guitarist Joey Gilbert and drummer Troy Parrish. Each member offers their own set of expertise and experience to make Continua something powerful and whole. While the group may not have always consisted of these five, together they have been able to Continua to the next level.

 

2020 has seen the push to take Continua further than ever before. November 11th will see the release of their debut EP titled Flagship. This isn’t your average debut EP though. There’s a maturity and depth to these six tracks that only seasoned musicians could bring about.

 

Every member plays a critical role within Flagship. Each song allows each member their own space to shine through. Together they form a cohesive, hard-hitting album that highlights the best of them. Glam-rock-esque guitar riffs, synthesizers, and grunge and pop elements all make delightful appearances throughout the album, helping make Continua stand out in the alt-rock world.

 

The EP opens with “The Darkest City,” a riveting track that will immediately hook you with it’s crushingly clean guitar work. Guitar riffs light up the song as Bishop delivers emotional and powerful vocals that set the mood for the track. Bishop creates a delicate balance between light and dark with his voice throughout “The Darkest City” that brings a dynamic energy to the song.

 

“Fluorescent” is the next song on the EP and it shows some of the range that is within Continua’s wheel-house. A bit more toned down and melodic in nature, it provides a change of pace for every member to shine through in a different light. It’s evident with every song that goes on that there’s nothing short of talent and desire coursing through the veins of this band.

 

The diversity continues on throughout Flagship, showcasing the vast knowledge and influences this act has. “Echoes” is stand-out moment in the EP. Continua created a sound that hypnotizes as well as haunts you. As you continue to work through the track it builds with intensity, keeping your attention fully throughout this nearly six minute song.

 

“Daybreak” closes out the EP with a quiet intensity. Brooding vocal layers and soaring guitar riffs stand out in this number, further proving that there’s so much depth to Continua’s talent. This EP is just the kick-off point for this act. With such knowledge, talent, and drive surrounding Continua, it’s clear they’re set for something big. - Indie Band Guru

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Continua is the brainchild of Cincinnati based dark wave singer Bishop Battle,
guitarist/songwriter Jason Mulkey, and Brian Buckalew (from Day of Awakening). They are joined by lead guitarist Joey Gilbert (of Maiden Cane) and drummer Troy Parrish. Spread out across Ohio, Georgia, and Florida, Continua is not restricted by geography.
Together, this crew of highly talented song crafters delivers potent, infectious rock music that hovers on the spectrum somewhere between the emotional authenticity of alternative rock, the grittiness of grunge, the power of pop, and hints of glam rock that give this collection of songs a larger than life, arena-sized sound.

From the moment I clicked play on Flagship, it became immediately obvious I was listening to true professionals who have mastered their craft and continue to master it, as true masters do. Melodically rich, highly infectious, emotionally potent, and undeniably powerful, Continua's
sound had me hooked from the first notes.

The snare hits leading into the soaring lead guitar of track 1, The Darkest City, pulls the listener in as the song builds into memorable guitar licks matched by a potent hook you'll keep singing or
humming long after this EP ends.

The beautiful sounding thump of the bass leads us into track 2. Fluorescent delivers a powerfully pop aesthetic with an easily memorable hook that needs to be spinning on pop-rock radio
playlists (if it isn't already). This is a strong song with all the elements of a charting single.
 

Slowing it down for track 3, Simple Plan, we are greeted with a darker, more somber guitar melody. As the track builds into an impactful, ballad-esque hook, I am once again reminded of the difference between the average band and a group of musicians who know how to create great
songs.

As we enter the soundscape of Echoes, we are greeted with a melancholic piano which leads us through a cinematic, theatrical tapestry of haunting strings, dissonant acoustic guitar strums, and
a vocal performance that drives the emotional intensity of this track over the edge.

Tapping into their more organic, acoustic-driven, balladeer roots, Continua sets the mood for a stadium full of lighters (or cell phone flashlights) swaying side to side in rhythm to Always Tomorrow. There's always tomorrow! And there's always another great song waiting to be heard
from Continua.

Wrapping up the Flagship project, we jump into the driving rhythm of Daybreak. This song is driven by a finely woven sonic tapestry of electric guitar riffs, hard-hitting drums, soaring lead guitar lines, and a vocal performance that manipulates the ebb and flow of the listener's emotional strings with precision. As the energy of the song crescendos and then fades to silence,
I am left waiting for more.

Until then, I'll just enjoy repeat listens of the EP! - Indie Music Discovery

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An impressive debut album from Continua, Flagship deftly balances dark soundscapes with hooky, melodic songwriting -- steeped within a confident rock sound with alternative, industrial, and electronic components. Big-time choruses tend to rise from atmospheric, contemplative verses that reward listeners with murky, developing soundscapes. The result is a fully satiating listen, with evident musicianship apparent from the collective of Bishop Battle, Brian Buckalew, Jason Mulkey, Joey Gilbert, and Troy Parrish. The six tracks show no filler, each touting their own character and knack for expansion. Opener "The Darkest City" doesn't waste any time in showcasing the quintet's consuming songwriting and sturdy, atmospheric alt-rock arsenal. "You've always dreamed of the darkest places," the vocals emerge, setting an apt scene. A warming, murky rhythm section adorns the verses with a mysterious glow, escalating to the "don't wanna live in the darkest city," vocal hook thereafter. The hook, joined by a vibrant guitar line and uptick in vocal emotion, becomes enjoyably anticipated with each replay. The "say goodbye," bridge also impresses with its effervescent tone and ensuing chugging guitars. "The Darkest City" plays as a commendable opener, showcasing the band's murkier rock spectrum as well as retrospective, electronic-tinged effervescence. "Fluorescent" rides on clearer guitars to start, following a bass-fronted launching pad. Acoustical flourishes linger in the background, as the vocals show an infectious range of tones -- from distorted, sped-up infection to the soaring, anthemic glow of the chorus. The brightly enthused chorus reminds fondly of Collective Soul, Manic Street Preachers, and similar manufacturers of hooky alt-rock. "You're so fluorescent," the vocals cry out during this fantastic chorus, one of the album's most accessible and radio-friendly moments. The album cumulatively does well in showcasing a variety of rock-forward styles with songwriting ingenuity, while still retaining accessibility, and "Fluorescent" shows precisely that. Whereas "Fluorescent" could have easily rode contently on repeating the title-referencing hook, the second half exemplifies enjoyable ambition. Electronic atmospherics linger past the two-minute mark amidst nocturnal backing vocals, as percussion ruminates with subtle expansion. A blistering guitar-fronted section follows, seamlessly adjusting back into the initial, bright hook. "Fluorescent" succeeds with shimmering production and a wholly melodic pull. The track showcases the band's ability to infuse hooky melodic charm within the tracks, even as they tout commendably varied structural twists and turns. Whether you're seeking an immediate hook, interesting soundscape in the rock niche, or both, "Fluorescent" is likely to delight. Following two creative, yet accessibly soaring, rockers to kick off Flagship, "Simple Plan" follows with a more contemplative, atmospheric showing. Suave vocals and post-punk guitar tones gear toward an eventual rise after the two-minute mark, with triumphant guitar tones ringing about a minute later. "Simple Plan" impresses with its multiple faces, growing from late-night post-punk musings to an exciting vein of rock. Continua show throughout a knack for consuming, evolving rockers, and "Simple Plan" showcases that as well, although with a more contemplative first half in a more atmospheric vein. The touch of backing strings, illuminating with a wintry grace, adds nicely to the conclusion as the post-punk guitars re-emerge. The illuminated piano tones that open "Echoes" suggest an epic procession, with emotive vocals that follow fitting the ballad-ready approach. The piano lend a hypnotic, graceful feeling amidst the forlorn vocal yearning. Haunting textural components emerge after the one-minute mark, the ghostly feeling resonating throughout. The second half swiftly assumes a grandiose rock feeling, theatrical feeling alongside the gliding strings and clashing percussion. Reverting back into the gracefully hypnotic piano trickles, again reminding of Manic Street Preachers, the track shows firm decisiveness in alternating between the wintry piano-laden bounce and thunderous rock-based follow-up. The "can't sleep," rise sends chills, in particular. "Echoes" unfolds into another anthemic success. Like "Simple Plan," the development from atmospheric passion into a rousing rock pays off thoroughly. The acoustics, wordless vocal passion, and twinkling keys throughout the intro to "Always Tomorrow" makes for a lushly inviting feel. The vocals are at their most intimate in the album, even as strings and rousing guitars join the fold just prior to the one-minute mark. The passionate vocals -- "there's always a second chance," -- resound with the vocals, strings, and guitars for an aesthetic fondly reminiscent of Smashing Pumpkins' classic "Disarm." "There's always tomorrow," the vocals continue, continuing a convincing, motivational tone that aligns nicely with the confident synergy of guitars and strings, which especially excels as the vocals take a reprieve around 02:20. The word "anthemic" is often used to describe tracks throughout Flagship, and "Always Tomorrow" is no exception. The finale on Flagship opts for the group's darker-rock tint, offering both a haunting soundscape and variety of guitar tones, from contemplative to scorching. "Daybreak" initially rides on pulsing guitars and a chilling acoustical reflection, showing one of the album's more alt-rock focused sounds. Expanded guitar flourishes approaching the one-minute mark mesh well with backing vocal effects, carrying well throughout and especially into the final two minutes. "So hard to carry on," the vocals let out as percussion and guitars escalate here. Soaring guitars and several layers of vocal passion converge with beautiful results, setting for a finale that fully satiates and continues the release's knack for anthemic, stirring rockers. Flagship is a riveting album from Continua, featuring an inventive rock sound with big-time hooks. The tracks within impress with unique fervor, ranging from the soaring accessibility of "Fluorescent" to anthemic alt-rockers like "Simple Plan." Flagship shows a passionate, highly melodic sound that remains consuming throughout its duration. Debut albums often show indecision regarding stylistic direction or structural convention. Flagship avoids these pitfalls entirely, opting to consistently pursue a winning strategy of valuing rock-based atmosphere, while still offering a bevy of hooks that resonate after replays. Continua's Flagship is among the year's strong debuts. - Obscure Sound