Wow! What a surprise! Canadian hardcore metal punks Cancer Bats surprised the world and fans by releasing their brand new album on their own label Bat Skull Records. This is already the sixth studio effort by the guys and this time they did it without any promo campaign, announcing teasers, singles and stuff…they just dropped the bomb and they published the album.

The brand new album contains 11 songs of steamrolling hardcore punk with a lot of metal and some sludge influences. The singing is harsh, screaming sometimes at the top of the lungs but also following the great rocking melodic guitar hooks and catchy song structures. For me, one of the absolute highlights of the album is “Bed of nails” being one of the most melodic songs on the record but also energetic and brutal. I can only imagine how this will sound live at the gigs. The other highlight is “Headwound” which leaves you only fistpumping in the air wanting more and more. This album is one pissed off piece of work and I enjoyed it and unfortunately have never heard and seen Cancer Bats live, but I will correct that mistake as soon as possible. The other song that made my day is “Fear will kill us all” with Slayeresque intro and thrash metal influences all through the song. When I listen to the good hardcore record I always feel something like Force within me, burning me, flowing through my veins and making me strong and ready to fight my battles again. This is one of such records. Check it out! You will not regret it!

9/10

Follow Cancer Bats on Fb: https://www.facebook.com/cancerbats/

Get the album: https://www.cancerbats.com/