I’m declaring 2026 to be the year of Converge! The year started off with their new album, Love Is Not Enough, which came out of the gates like a bat out of hell. Then came news that there was a second album on its way, in the form of Hum Of Hurt, which arrives on June 5th!
The second single from Hum Of Hurt has arrived in “Doom In Bloom.” This song is heavy and full of a raw, unrelenting riffs and rhythms. Lyrically it’s introspective in a very optimistic way.
One of the things about Converge that I personally enjoy the most is the honesty in their music. Every album has a different meaning and feeling. The way the artwork plays into the lyrics which in turn plays out through the music. It’s an underrated aspect about Converge and what comes with each album. Bring on Hum Of Hurt, I’m ready!
It’s only been about a month since Converge released their tenth studio album, Love Is Not Enough. That album has not left my rotation since. Now, we get word that another album is on its way in the form of, Hum Of Hurt. When the band got together to write for their new album, they had a wealth of material. As work began the band realized they had two separate albums and charged forward as such. The first song released from this new album is the title track, “Hum Of Hurt” and it’s a blistering song that confronts one’s inner self. What a song! Converge are truly on a creative run and what a time to be here for it. Hum Of Hurt will be out on June 5th! Enjoy!
When you have such a storied career like Converge it gets harder and harder to put certain things like their albums into a ranking order. Since the release of their tenth album, Love Is Not Enough, I have been on quite the Converge listening kick. After listening through their catalog and spending a good amount of time with their new album, I do believe I have a very definitive ranking of Converge’s ten studio albums. While not every album can be the best, each record surely leaves a lasting mark on their history as well as influence and inspiration of so many other bands.
When a band such as Converge releases a new album, it’s a big deal. For well over 30 years, Converge has been at the forefront of metal and hardcore. Their signature sound is unmistakable. The sheer intensity of the vocals and lyrics will make grown men cry. Musically the intricacies, riffs and pummeling rhythms are as devastating as the most powerful storm. Without Converge we wouldn’t have so many other great bands that we enjoy today.
Which brings me to their new album Love Is Not Enough. The past few albums have been rather epic in their nature. Blood Moon, The Dusk In Us and All We Love We Leave Behind are quite the records in their own right and have their own place within the catalog and genre. Over the course of the time since their release, each of those albums holds a certain place for me. What we have here on this new album is a very direct sense of impact. Not since their album, You Fail Me, have Converge made such an urgent blast of an album. Spanning just about thirty minutes, Love Is Not Enough grabs you by the throat the second the title track kicks off the record. Throughout the ten songs the listener is thrust into the whole career of Converge. Each song is a bit of a snapshot of the best of what Converge is and has done. For those clamoring for the more spastic and heavy fast paced songs, those are here for you and for the taking. There is a thematic level of darkness and gloominess that is a radiating aspect to the album. Which gives it a very profound feeling. There is a balance of both the heavy/dark and spastic/pummeling making, Love Is Not Enough that much more impactful. Even the middle song which is instrumental, this track gives you the moment to gather yourself before the onslaught continues. There is not a song on this album that feels like it shouldn’t be here.
Converge is Converge for a reason. Their music is a true testament to what moves them. An album like Love Is Not Enough might not be the be all end all of metalcore albums but, what this album does is show everyone else trying to cop this style that, this is the way to do it. Imitation can be a form of flattery at times but, don’t mess with it in hardcore and metal. The equal parts of Jacob Bannon, Kurt Ballou, Nate Newton and Ben Koller made one hell of an album here. One that should not only be listened loudly but, one that shows there is no letting up for these gents. The standard was set long ago by Converge and they just keep moving the bar higher for everyone else. I’m personally beyond stoked on their upcoming tour with Poison The Well. That decibel levels in the venues should register on richter scales.
It’s happened to all of us I’m sure at one point or another. You hear a song/band in passing and you really dig it but don’t know who it is. Then on a random whim you hear it and then all is right for that moment. That happened recently for myself a couple months back, I had heard a band and I completely forgot the name as well as the song and then when I found out who it was, the volume sure went up. The band I’m talking about is Split Chain. If this is your introduction to them, you are in for a treat!
Split Chain is an English rock band that formed in 2023. This explosive five piece band, while still in it’s infancy is already packing quite the punch. Their first release, the single “Get Inside” came out in 2023 and it was a siren call for what was to come. A few more singles would be released as would a really fun cover of Type O Negative’s “I Don’t Wanna Be Me.” Then in later 2024 it was announced the band had signed with Epitaph Records and would begin work on their very anticipated debut album. Motionblur, would be released in July of 2025. Split Chain’s musical style incorporates bits of shoegaze, grunge, post-hardcore, and a dash of nu-metal. The combination sounds absolutely as you’d expect it to sound. It’s lush and full of space and dreaminess and on the other side there’s the heaviness and crunch.
Motionblur is one hell of a debut album. It’s one of those records you can just put on start to finish and just get lost in it. Across the eleven songs, you’ll find a very raw and dense album that is fused with soaring yet gut wrenching vocals, layered guitars that sway into the heavy and dreamy side of things, a rhythm section that thumps and kicks while also delicately ripping limbs away. The honesty found throughout is quite stunning too. You can hear it in the delivery of performances on the songs. The sonic aspect of the album is very direct in the way the album is produced. There are in your face moments of each instrument. The vocals are very up front but it doesn’t take away what the music is doing. The push and pull of both, makes these songs more haunting and personal. Each song has its own charm but, the sum of all the parts is what makes this album standout.
I love debut albums like this. You get to see and hear what the band is about but, you know there is way more to explore. Which means the what’s to come from Split Chain is going to be intense. Motionblur is authentic as it is a visceral album. Currently, Split Chain is out in Australia with Better Lovers. Their US tour with Soul Blind (another band you should know about) will be one hell of a great tour and chock full of high decibels!
There must be something about today because, the new music is pouring in today! The mighty Converge have released “We Were Never The Same” the closing song from their upcoming album, Love Is Not Enough, which is out February 13 via Epitaph Records. The title track was already a punch to the face and now the closing song is one of those gut punches that is full of pure raw emotion. Converge are one of those bands that are not one to be complacent about their music and art. This album definitely has all the makings of it being another classic for Converge! Can’t wait to hear these songs live and for this album!
I know I’m beyond excited about New Converge! How about you?! That’s right, on February 13, 2026, via Epitaph Records, Converge will be releasing their eleventh (that’s correct 11) studio album, Love Is Not Enough. The first single is the title track, “Love Is Not Enough” and it’s a barnburner right out of the gate. With 35 years under their belts, Converge are set to release an album that according to Jacob Bannon, “Love Is Not Enough is all about momentum. “It does a thing that no other Converge record does—it keeps ramping up,” Bannon says. “And that’s definitely by design. Internally, we passed around dozens of ideas for sequencing because everyone interprets music differently and there’s no right way of doing it. When we do that, we always joke that we all have to be equally unhappy. But this is the one that works.” Personally, I really can’t wait for this record. If you’ve never seen Converge live, you should change that as well. They are one of the most intense live bands you’ll ever see.
Back in 2017 when Converge released their album, The Dusk In Us. It’s quite the album for Converge. It’s one of those albums that really spans their catalog and has become a renowned record. Before the record itself was released, the first single “I Can Tell You About Pain” came out with a b-side. That b-side wound up being the very epic and captivating song “Eve.” Why this wasn’t on the album is beyond me. This actually might be my all time favorite Converge song at this point. When you listen to the seven and a half minute opus, it definitely takes you places. The way the guitars shift from doom/sludge into etherial/atmospheric sounds, to the synths creating waves, while the rhythm drives and then pummels into a colossal explosion. While “Eve” has been in the setlist for a short period of time, and performed thrity-three times, it’s one that should be in rotation a lot more. There’s really something powerful about this song in particular that more people need to experience live. I’ve never seen it performed live and it’s “the one” Converge song I’d probably go absolutely apeshit for if I saw it live. So, let’s put it out into the universe to get “Eve” added more often!!!
I’ll never forget the first time I heard Rancid. I was about 10 years old and I heard a song on the radio that was called “Salvation” off their second album (which is quite underrated in their catalog) and I was hooked. Then a year later it all made even more sense when they released their now classic …And Out Come The Wolves. From that point I was completely enthralled. For many years, I’ve always had an affinity for this band. They are one of the most consistent and pack the same raw energy since their founding back in 1991. Now, in 2023 Rancid are about to release their 10th studio album, Tomorrow Never Comes (out June 2nd). The first single “Tomorrow Never Comes” is Rancid at it’s classic best. It’s punk as it always is and then some. Their sound and style is still true to them as it has ever been and I for one am pretty stoked that Rancid is still here kicking ass and taking names! June 2nd can’t come soon enough! Looking forward to the upcoming tour as well!
Well this is awesome! For the longest time I’ve been hoping for an Operation Ivy reunion and though that hasn’t come to fruition just yet, this new band I will gladly accept in the mean time. Tim Armstrong (Operation Ivy, Rancid, Transplants), Jesse Michaels (Operation Ivy), Joey Castillo (Circle Jerks, The Bronx) and bassist Spencer Pollard (Trash Talk) have unveiled their new project BAD OPTIX and released their debut single “Raid.” The sound of this single features a classic Jamaican influenced ska contrasted with a vocal approach aligned with the brute force of punk for a vibe that’s updated but not completely disconnected from early ska legacy.
Officially forming in March of 2021, the ska-punk pioneers of Armstrong and Michaels, have over 35 years of history together. Even with the gap between Op Ivy to now, Michaels says, “our creative connection seems to be stronger than ever and all the music we loved back then, we still love.” The idea to form a band came organically one day when Jesse and Tim met up purely with the intent to reconnect. Of course the topic of music came up and when Armstrong started to play some of his new tracks, Michaels was immediately inspired and sparking ideas for vocals. He explains, “As soon as we started writing together, we found that we had the same collaborative energy that we had in the past, so it was natural and fun just to keep going.” Tim also adds, “It came back, just like that. Like when we were kids. There is a special chemistry between us and I don’t take it for granted.”
Now this isn’t Operation Ivy or is it pretending to be. Instead this is something a little different with a vibe that I have a feeling once there are shows, the intensity will be ever growing and bombastic. But my fingers are still crossed hoping for that OP IVY Reunion!
