Kurt Ballou

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: CONVERGE- HUM OF HURT

Earlier this year, Converge released their tenth studio album, Love Is Not Enough. Right out of the gate that album hit you like a pile of bricks. Then a sudden left hook came out of nowhere and the announcement of a second album to be released a few months later. And now we have arrived at that time and Hum Of Hurt, is everything you’d hoped it would be and then some.

Never a band to rest of their laurels, Converge explore every single nuance of influence and inspiration on Hum Of Hurt. There’s a very up front and confrontational approach to a lot of these songs that comes from the depths of each member of the band. One of the best aspects of the album is the sense of groove. The abstract atmospheric elements ooze out of the rhythmic grooves and blasts. While Love Is Not Enough leaned more into metal territory, Hum Of Hurt leans more into noise rock and emotional hardcore. The combination of those and their signature sound, propels this album past the previous.

Each song has its own charm and place. The sequencing of the album is tremendously satisfying. The way the album starts with the very image inducing “Slip The Noose,” you know that this is going to be a record that will tighten your heart. “Doom In Bloom” into “It Only Gets Worse” is a stellar one two punch! Then comes a trifecta of oblivion and obliteration with “Detonator,” “I Won’t Let You Go,” and “It’s Not Up To Us.” At this point catching your breath is a smart idea as “Dream Debris” sweeps you into a new realm. Just as you think the dust has settled, you’re thrust into the final three songs “It Used To Matter,” “Hum Of Hurt,” and “Nothing Is Over.”

What is accomplished here in thirty three minutes is near legendary. This is the year of Converge. It’s started out that way and it’s continued. There’s a feeling to this record too that makes you want to hear it played live in full. I can only imagine the sonic boom of intensity from that. Hum Of Hurt is a soon to be classic not just for Converge but, the genre as a whole.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

By: Brian Lacy

Converge- Hum Of Hurt:

NEW RELEASE: CONVERGE- DOOM IN BLOOM

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!

Converge- Doom In Bloom:

NEW RELEASE: CONVERGE- HUM OF HURT

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!

Converge- Hum Of Hurt:

ALBUM RANK UPDATED: CONVERGE

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, and now eleventh, Hum Of Hurt, 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.

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ALBUM REVIEW: CONVERGE- LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

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.

Overall Rating: 9/10

By: Brian Lacy

Converge- Love Is Not Enough:

NEW RELEASE: CONVERGE- WE WERE NEVER THE SAME

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!

Converge- We Were Never The Same:

NEW RELEASE: CONVERGE- LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

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.

Converge- Love Is Not Enough:

SONGS THAT SHOULD BE PLAYED LIVE: CONVERGE- EVE

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!!!

Converge- Eve:

New Release: The Hope Conspiracy- Those Who Gave Us Yesterday

This is quite exciting. In 2023 The Hope Conspiracy announced their return and now today, we get a new single from their upcoming new album, Tools of Oppression / Rule by Deception was engineered by Kurt Ballou and Zach Weeks at God City Studios, (out May 31 via Deathwish Inc.). The return of The Hope Conspiracy is a very welcomed one! This new single “Those Who Gave Us Yesterday” is one hell of a punch to the gut. There’s always been a sense of urgency to this band and this new album surely will continue that hard line of explosiveness.

The Hope Conspiracy- Those Who Gave Us Yesterday:

New Release: Gatecreeper- The Black Curtain


Over the last few years, I’ve noticed something interesting happening within the Death Metal realm of heavy music. What I’ve noticed is a lot more dynamics and attention to songwriting rather than just playing as fast as possible and screaming bloody murder. The new wave of American Death Metal has found its place and with bands like Gatecreeper leading the charge, it’s going to get quite exciting to hear where things go. Speaking of Gatecreeper, they are back with a new album, Dark Superstition (out May 17 via Nuclear Blast Records), which was recorded by Converge guitarist, Kurt Ballou. The first single, “The Black Curtain” draws from what I mentioned in the beginning as well as having a bit more of a heavy rock tinge without crossing over the line into too melodic of a territory. Gatecreeper are fast becoming a name to know amongst the heavy music circles and with this new album, they are sure to leave quite a mark.


Gatecreeper- The Black Curtain: