UK post-hardcore band Pageant Mum will release their new EP Finis Amoris Est on February 13, 2026 via Red Tape Music. Spanning four tracks, the EP traces the slow, uneasy end of a relationship that never fully breaks clean. Rather than focusing on one moment of collapse, the record follows the emotional aftershocks—anger, doubt, reflection, and eventual acceptance.
The EP opens with “Hackles Up,” a sharp and confrontational track built around tension and self-awareness. Fierce vocals and raw guitar lines reflect the push and pull of an on-again, off-again relationship, where clarity exists but action lags behind. The song captures the frustration of knowing what needs to happen while still being stuck in the cycle.
That instability grows louder on “Lick It Off Knives.” The track leans into impulsive decisions and emotional spirals, pairing pop-punk hooks with post-hardcore weight. It’s reckless and fast-moving, mirroring the urge to drown out reality rather than face it. Loud guitars and driving drums keep the pressure high as the EP reaches its most chaotic point.
From there, Finis Amoris Est begins to turn inward. “Prelapsarian” signals a shift away from outward conflict toward reflection. The pace eases slightly, and the focus moves from blame to understanding. It’s a moment of pause where defiance and regret sit side by side.
The EP closes with its focus track, “The War of Me and You.” Slower and more restrained, the song centers on internal conflict rather than open confrontation. Long vocal lines and the interplay between male and female lead vocals give the track a sense of dual perspective. Notably, it marks the first Pageant Mum release to feature Liam on lead vocals, adding a new emotional layer to the band’s sound. The song feels solitary and resolved, offering acceptance instead of release.
Sonically, Finis Amoris Est balances loud riffs and heavy rhythms with space and restraint. Pageant Mum, known for their bite and attitude, intentionally pull back here, letting sadness, tension, and quiet moments carry equal weight. The result is a breakup EP that feels lived-in and unresolved in honest ways.
Originally from Bolton and now based between Liverpool and Leeds, Pageant Mum are part of a rising wave of UK post-hardcore bands focused on emotional storytelling. Following appearances at The Great Escape and shows with The Man From Delmonte, Finis Amoris Est marks a clear step forward—less explosive, more reflective, and grounded in growth.
Revisit the video for “Can You Can’t You”:
