New Music Spotlight

ALBUM REVIEW: POISON THE WELL- PEACE IN PLACE

Comeback albums are not easy to make. The pressure of trying to capture a time and place from years before is enough to make one throw a fit. Especially when people want something from that particular era. The great thing about a comeback album is taking all you’ve done before and molding that into everything else since to make a record that stands up with the rest of the discography. The very awesome Poison The Well have released their first new album since 2009’s, The Tropic Rot. Peace In Place is an uncompromising and direct shot to your gut and brain type of album. Notice too how I said “album.” That’s what this is! After first reuniting in 2015 and 2016, Poison The Well made their full on return in 2020. Since then they have been giving the fans joyous tours of landmark albums like The Opposite Of December and You Come Before You and then some. Taking the time over this era has given the members of PTW the chance to really capture the essence of the band before and now.

Peace In Place is an album not for the weak. The heaviness of the lyrics, music and melodies are razor sharp and cut deep. The way this album begins with “Wax Mask,” lets you know right away this is only the calm before the eruption. From there it’s just on. The way “Primal Blooms” push the controlled chaos into an atmospheric beatdown is seemles. In fact each song transitions perfectly into each other making for a very complete listening experience that is lost amongst so many bands and albums these days. The already released one two punch of “Thoroughbreds” and “Everything Hurts” stings even more in the context of the record. “Weeping Tones” though when you hear this song, the whole picture comes to light. This part of the album feels like the turning point as well as it seeps into the absolutely devastating “A Wake Of Vultures.” Which I can see becoming a fan favorite and live staple. “Bad Bodies” keeps the pace going and injects a heavy melodic sense that has become a signature for Poison The Well for years. “Drifting Without End” has some really interesting elements that go back to the Versions era making it one of those deep cuts that offers a bit of a breath amongst the heavy. “Melted” is another gem on the album. I love the way this song sways a bit then grabs you by the throat and shakes you a bit. Ending the album is “Plague Them The Most” which is epic and intense and a great way to end the record. That’s not all though, stay for a couple minutes after for a real treat!

Peace In Place is not just an album for now it’s a new blueprint for those that cop this style. Poison The Well is back and this album shows that not only do Chris Hornbrook, Jeffery Moreira, and Ryan Primack still deliver at a top level but, the time away really shows just how integral this band is to the music we love. The way this album sounds feels lively and in your face. Vocally, the screams and delicate moments are impassioned and mature. Lyrically there is a lot to delve into but, the poetic nature lets you feel it. The guitars are bright and crisp when needed and downright nasty heavy when it’s called for. The dynamics shifting throughout really shows the influence and inspiration Poison The Well has on so many bands of today. Then you get into the drums and it’s like listening to lightning strike. The way Chris Hornbrook plays just rains down inspiration. The snare sound is so signature to Poison The Well is alive and well here and cuts through like butter. Plus the fills and pulsating driving nature of the drums guide these songs through all the temperatures of the songs. New members Vadim Tavor and Noah Harmon add their own touches to the album in a way that pays homage to the past but, it their own. Producer Will Putney, was able to really capture what Poison The Well in 2026 is!

Poison The Well is an album that is confident and shows tremendous growth. There is no mistaking where they came from and it shows in here as well. The maturity of the members personally is a real bright spot throughout listening. To be able to come back and make an album that not only marks a return but, doesn’t rely on nostalgia is remarkable. The creative push on Peace In Place is heard on each song. As far as comeback albums go, this is definitely one of the best I’ve heard. I greatly look forward to seeing Poison The Well on tour for this album as well as what the future holds. Poison The Well stood out for a reason many years ago and this album is exactly why.

Overall Rating: A

By: Brian Lacy

Poison The Well- Peace In Place:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: GOUGE AWAY- FIGURINE

In March of 2024, the very awesome Gouge Away returned after a prolonged hiatus with their album Deep Sage. From the moment that album was released it has not left my rotation. It’s a superb album that hits all the right notes of hardcore, punk, emo, and then some. If anything Deep Sage is a modern post hardcore masterpiece. Now a couple years have passed and the craving for new Gouge Away has been tamed for the moment with the release of their new single, “Figurine.” This new song is a blast of ferocious energy and hits you in the feels quite hard. “Figurine” is more in the realm of punk than hardcore with the bite of both. Gouge Away recently signed with Run For Cover records and are gearing up for quite a year of shows including being handpicked by Foo Fighters to open a few of their shows later in 2026. I’m very much looking forward to new Gouge Away. Please let there be a headlining Los Angeles show in the near future!!! Enjoy “Figurine”!!!

Gouge Away- Figurine:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: HELD.- CONSTANT TENSION

A couple of days ago one of the most exciting new bands, Held., released a new song that has been on constant repeat on my stereo. The song is called “Constant Tension” and oh my is it intense. Songs like this that really tug at your heartstrings are exciting and build into a danger that is lacking in music today. The post-hardcore aspect of the song mixed with the raw vocal makes this an unbeatable track. This trio of Douglas Robinson, Sal Mignaro, and Josh Eppard is explosive and rich in passion. I’m very much looking forward their debut album, Grey, which is out on May 15th!

By: Brian Lacy

HELD.- Constant Tension:

SONG(S) OF THE WEEK: XCOMM- HOT PURSUIT / ONE AND NOTHING

XCOMM ARE THE REAL DEAL! I’ve been stoked on this band since I heard them a couple years ago. Already they’ve hit the ground hard with two banger releases in “Reasons” and “Fake I.D.” Now here we go with more and one in particular that is damn good! That’s right two songs in one! The video for them as well is fun, inquisitive, and very much them. Way to hit another one out of the park Dean Karr! The first song “Hot Pursuit” continues their hardcore/punk style with gritty vocals and charging riffs. The second song though is the one that’s going to put them over. “One And Nothing” is one hell of a great post-hardcore song. Not only does this show that each member has chops but, it shows they can write! Ross Robinson really got great things to come out of XCOMM. Really look forward to what is to come for these lads! Enjoy XCOMM!!

By: Brian Lacy

XCOMM- HOT PURSUIT / ONE AND NOTHING:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: BLACK MAGNET- ROOM FULL OF HAMMERS

For quite a while now, I’ve been heavily into the band Black Magnet. I absolutely love the way the industrial, punk, metal, and bits of post-punk are put together. The last two albums, Body Prophecy and Megamantra are modern industrial classics. What I have to share with you all today is the first of two new Black Magnet songs. “Room Full Of Hammers” was written as an outlier song during the Megamantra sessions. After working and focusing on a full length, James Hammontree wanted to write in a more free-form way without any lofty goals or in the focus of an album. The end result is bone crushing and pummeling. This song is very loose sounding but full of attitude and bite for days. There’s even a really fun punk energy to this song that feels like it’s straight out of Ministry circa 1988-1991. Make sure to crank your volume up loudly for “Room Full Of Hammers!”

Black Magnet- Room Full Of Hammers:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: POISON THE WELL- EVERYTHING HURTS

With easy passing day, we are getting closer to the release of Poison The Well’s new album, Peace In Place. A couple of weeks back they released the first single, “Thoroughbreds” which definitely hit the mark. Now the second single has been released and it’s so damn good. “Everything Hurts” has that signature quiet/loud dynamic that is the right mood and melodic tinge that makes me love Poison The Well. To top it off too, “Everything Hurts” flows quite well out of the end of “Thoroughbreds.” I do believe we have another a Top Ten album of the year coming up with Peace In Place. March 20th can’t come soon enough! And the tour with Converge… I will see you there!

Pre-Order Peace In Place HERE

Poison The Well- Everything Hurts:

Poison The Well- Thoroughbreds:

NEW RELEASE: FAILURE- THE AIR’S ON FIRE

I’m beyond excited about this. New FAILURE has arrived! “The Air’s On Fire” is the first single off their upcoming new album, Location Lost, which arrives April 24th!!! This upcoming new album will be the bands seventh studio album and features nine new songs including one with a guest spot from Paramore’s Hayley Williams. The song “The Air’s On Fire” has been unveiled as the first single from this new offering and is now streaming below. “The Air’s On Fire” is a track that was directly influenced by a back injury that vocalist/guitarist, etc. Ken Andrews suffered and a challenging recovery process that ensued from the resulting surgery. Speaking on the song, Ken said “That song is directly about my surgery and waking up. I basically coded. Everything was spinning. I kept saying, ‘Turn the air on. I’m fine—just take me home.’ I was definitely not fine.” Leave it to Failure to make an epic song from this. Failure will be touring shortly after the albums release. I highly recommend you see Failure live. It will change your life!

Pre-Order Location Lost: HERE

FAILURE- THE AIR’S ON FIRE:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: FUTURELUST- STRAY

I’ve been impatiently waiting for new music from Futurelust and it’s finally here! Futurelust has been hard at work on new songs for an upcoming release. This new song “Stray” continues on their cinematic rock style with soaring melodic vocals. There’s something really cool and intriguing about this band. It’s really great to hear a band that cares so much about writing great songs. Their debut album is chock full of stellar songs. As well as the couple stand alone singles. I’ve had the pleasure of booking Futurelust on a couple shows over the last few years and they fast became one of my favorite new bands. Though they recently relocated to the Nashville area, I don’t doubt, they will be leaving their mark on the music scene out there! And if you are out in their are when they are playing a show, go see them! I personally can’t wait to hear more! Way to go gents!

Futurelust- Stray:

Futurelust Online:

Instagram:   / futurelustmusic  

Facebook:   / futurelustmusic  

Website: https://futurelustmusic.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xNZ5…

Listen to the debut album “For the Ones That Got Away”: https://ampl.ink/ZDlDB

DEBUT ALBUMS: SPLIT CHAIN- MOTIONBLUR

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!

By: Brian Lacy

Overall Rating: 9/10

Split Chain- Motionblur:

Split Chain Online:

▶ Store: https://splitchain.ffm.to/store ▶ Website: https://www.splitchain.uk ▶ Facebook:   / splitchainband   ▶ Instagram:   / splitchainband   ▶ YouTube:    / @splitchainband  


NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: 01/16/26

I keep saying this because it’s true, 2026 is off to the races in terms of new album announcements, new music, new tours and who knows what else is to come in the next eleven months! That being said, this past week has seen a barrage of new singles from some of your favorites as well as some you might not know yet! In this batch for New Music Friday, I present new music from Lamb Of God, Filth Is Eternal, Nothing, Fotocrime, Gaerea, Metal Allegiance, clubdrugs . Give these a spin and let me know what you are into! Listening eclectically is much more fun than you’ve ever thought!

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