Just Before The Drop: #12
Featuring: Linkin Park, Deez Nuts, Memphis May Fire and more. Check out the newest issue of your weekly, curated modern punk & hardcore music recommendations.
Hi friends! What’s up?! 🤘
All good on your end? Feeling that spring-in-the-air buzz already? Or maybe it’s just your headphones heating up from the bangers we’re about to drop … 😏
As always, we’re back at it - our weekly ritual of discovering fresh & powerful tunes. We’ve dug deep, argued a bit (as always), and curated a wild ride of 10 tracks that’ll carry you from soft to harsh energy. Ready? Press play. Let the madness begin, this week it’s minty!
Lukas & Adi 💥
Up From The Bottom ⚡
by Linkin Park | picked by Lukas
OK, this one hit outta nowhere - at least for me. I was working late last Thursday, it was a bit past 11 PM, looking something on YouTube ... and boom - a new Linkin Park track popped up. At first, I figured it was maybe just a leftover single from their last album. But nah, this title didn’t ring any bells. And I was right — Up From The Bottom is brand new.
Turns out, it’s the first revealed single from the Deluxe Edition of From Zero, which drops May 16, packed with two more new tracks. Totally unexpected, but hey - always here for more LP, especially in this reborn era.
So I hit play. And oh dude - instant time machine. It felt like being thrown straight back into Hybrid Theory days. So dynamic, so fast, so energetic - I was smiling like a child. But here’s the thing: Emily’s voice takes it even further.
Mike’s verses? Absolute fire - sharp, controlled, classic. Then Emily jumps in on the chorus with this perfect blend of clean vocals and those raw, screaming edges. It’s got that beautiful LP contrast written all over it.
But wait - there’s more. That interlude before the finale? Mike hands over the guitar to Emily, drops his lines, and then they pull the pin. Running guitars, Joe’s signature scratches ripping in the back - Dude… fuck me, this is SO GOOD.
Fans are already calling Up From The Bottom a spiritual follow-up to From the Inside from Meteora - both musically and lyrically. But what really got me? They placed it right after Good Things Go - my absolute fave from the last album. That can’t be random. There’s some deeper connection here, like a narrative bridge between those two. Gives the whole thing even more weight. You have to check it out.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Lunar Tides 🌊
by Varia | selected by Lukas
Let’s talk about one of the strongest cuts from an album that already dropped - and dropped hard. Varia, a post-hardcore/metalcore band from Virginia, just released their second full-length album, The Changing of Tides, on March 28. And Lunar Tides? That one’s an absolute standout.
The track opens slowly - delicate tones, keys - but don’t get too comfy. Soon enough, it pulls you into a flood of soaring guitars, bone-cracking breakdowns, and emotionally raw vocals. It’s heavy in sound and even heavier in feeling. There’s a real sense of weight here.
For a moment, because … It’s in the dynamics. Varia masterfully balance aggression with melody, throwing you between furious screams and hauntingly clean choruses without ever losing momentum. It’s modern metalcore done right - technical but not sterile, emotional but never overcooked. Quite fresh. Go, check it!
Love Is War 💔
by Memphis May Fire | picked by Lukas
Memphis May Fire is back at it, dropping their eighth studio album, Shapeshifter, on March 28, 2025. These guys are on a creative roll, delivering fresh material at a pace that's hard to keep up with. Just last week, we were vibing to Matty Mullins' collab with Anberlin, and now the full band hits us with a new collection of tracks.
The album's promotion has been relentless, with singles like Chaotic, Paralyzed and Necessary Evil. But it's the latest release, Love Is War that's capturing attention. This track encapsulates the band's signature blend of metalcore intensity and melodic hooks. The accompanying music video dropped alongside the album, offering a visual feast that complements the song's themes.
In Love Is War Memphis May Fire explores the tumultuous nature of relationships, delivering a powerful performance that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers. The track showcases their ability to balance aggression marked by the awesome screams from Mullins with melody of choruses, a hallmark of their sound. It has its original flow, flys with the well-known concept, yet still very fresh and original. I love the finish, it has this slowdown, surrounded by the electronic sounds, bumped by the crashingly deep growls. Good stuff.
For those eager to experience the Shapeshifter, the album is available now!
I’m Not Dying To Be Here ⚰️
by Split Chain | selected by Adi
We do what we want.
That’s how the guys from Split Chain sum up their music - and honestly, they’re doing it right. This band is tough to pin down, and their upcoming album (dropping in July) probably won’t make that any easier.
The second single off the record brings to mind bands like Cold or Staind - and that’s a damn good comparison to have. The Bristol-based five-piece says the upcoming album, motionblur, is one to be experienced, felt, and absorbed, promising that if you dive into its waves, you’ll be met with a blissful sense of euphoria.
Tracks like bored.tired.torn. and the earlier single I’m not dying to be here absolutely live up to those words. We can’t wait for more.
902A 🛣️
by Lost Trees | picked by Lukas
If you're craving that emotionally charged metalcore sound reminiscent of early We Came As Romans, Lost Trees is a band you need on your radar. Their latest track, 902A (OVRDSE), dropped on March 28, 2025, and it's a sonic journey that hits hard both musically and emotionally.
Hailing from Florida, Lost Trees has been steadily carving out their niche in the post-hardcore scene. 902A as a new single, after last year’s EP Hallucinate showcases their ability to blend melodic riffs, electronics, variety of vocal tones and of course some breakdowns, creating a soundscape that's both haunting and invigorating. The track's lyrical depth delves into themes of longing and introspection, striking a chord with listeners who appreciate music that resonates on a personal level.
Fans of We Came As Romans, especially during the era with the late Kyle Pavone, will find a familiar yet fresh energy in Lost Trees' approach. The emotive vocals and dynamic instrumentation echo the passion that defined WCAR's earlier work, making 902A a standout addition to any metalcore/post-hardcore playlist.
Bring Me Back To Life 🔙
by Hinder | picked by Adi
The story of Hinder has been just as wild as the lyrics they’ve written - especially when it comes to the ups and downs of their original frontman, Austin John Winkler, who co-founded the band. In 2013, right in the middle of a tour, Winkler had to step away and enter rehab. At first, Marshall Dutton stepped in temporarily... but fast-forward to today, and he’s now prepping for his fifth full release as Hinder’s frontman.
After the heavier, punch-you-in-the-face energy of Everything Is a Cult, their new single Bring Me Back To Life lands in much more melodic pop-rock territory - hinting at a more diverse and dynamic album ahead. And that’s no surprise, considering this record’s been in the works for five years.
Drummer and co-founder Cody Hanson admitted the band actually had a full album ready to go back in 2020 - but scrapped it completely. He said they didn’t want to release anything until they felt truly inspired. Writing Bring Me Back To Life was that turning point - the spark they needed. Now the fire’s lit again, and the full album is coming this May.
We’re hyped to hear the final form of it - if this first single is anything to go by, Hinder’s back with something worth the wait.
Just Another Sunday 📆
by Love Ghost | selected by Adi
Love Ghost is a band from Los Angeles that refuses to sit still. Their sound floats somewhere between alt-rock, grunge, metal, pop-punk, and hard rock - yeah, that’s a lot, but that’s literally how they describe themselves. And honestly? It shows they’re still on a journey. Still searching.
And that journey is nowhere near done, because their latest track, Just Another Sunday, takes an unexpected left turn into shoegaze/dream pop territory.
It’s the kind of track you want to play in a dark room, eyes closed, thoughts drifting thousands of miles away. That’s when you really get what it’s about.
It’s got that slow-burn ache — introspective, nostalgic, a little blurry.
Kinda like when Joey Cape sang Just Another Sunday in Lagwagon’s classic May 16th. Now it’s Just Another Sunday, and even though they’re different eras and genres, both carry this quiet, weighty sadness underneath.
And sometimes? That’s the exact kind of sadness we go looking for in music.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Chemicals 💉
by Barbie Sailers | picked by Lukas
Swiss post-hardcore outfit Barbie Sailers has teamed up with German emo-rock band Lonely Spring to deliver their latest single, Chemicals. This collaboration melds the energetic essence of both bands, resulting in a track that's both infectious and emotionally charged. Really light as for our regular picks.
Looking from aside, Chemicals grips listeners with its dynamic instrumentation and compelling vocal interplay. The song navigates themes of addiction and the struggle to break free from toxic cycles. The chorus is particularly memorable, showcasing a blend of melodic hooks and raw emotion that lingers long after the track ends.
Barbie Sailers continues to carve out their niche in the alternative music scene, and Chemicals stands as a testament to their evolving artistry and collaborative spirit. They’re doing them a lot, mixing many different genres. Overall coming out very diverse. Definitely worth checking.
I Don’t Like How I Was Then 🪑
by The Wonder Years, Origami Angel | picked by Adi
Over the years, The Wonder Years have danced between pop-punk, melodic hardcore, and alt-rock - and now, they’re taking a totally different swing: acoustic reworks of their classics. But don’t worry, this isn’t one of those we just unplugged and hit record deals.
Their latest drop, an acoustic version of I Don’t Like Who I Was Then (originally released a decade ago), is almost unrecognizable - in the best way. What used to be a fast, punchy track now gets stripped down into something way more fragile, introspective, and emotionally heavy.
And the wild part? It still hits just as hard.
The new arrangement doesn’t feel forced or corny - instead, it brings a whole new kind of strength and maturity to the song. Fans are already buzzing about what’s next, and with the full acoustic EP dropping in May, the hype is real.
Honestly, the evolution of The Wonder Years has been nothing short of impressive. At this point, nothing would surprise us - well, maybe a collab with Tim Lambesis from As I Lay Dying … Okay yeah, that might still be pushing it. 😅
Kill This Shit
by Deez Nuts | picked by Adi
Can you believe the Aussie hardcore vets from Deez Nuts are about to drop their seventh(!) full-length album? Time’s flying, but these dudes? They haven’t changed a damn bit. Still loud. Still raw. Still throwing middle fingers in every direction - lyrically and sonically. And now they’re back with another bone-crusher: Kill This Shit.
The first single since 2023’s surprisingly catchy Rockstar, this one’s less sing-along, more fist-through-wall. But there’s something special here - Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid is in the producer’s chair for the whole record, and you can definitely feel his hand in the weight and structure of the track.
Now, here’s the deal with Deez Nuts: You either ride or die with them, or you bounce. This track won’t change minds - if you never vibed with their “bunch of brothers” vibe and barroom breakdowns, this won’t win you over. But if you’ve been there since Stay True or Bout It!, this new stuff feels like a homecoming.
Brutal. Groovy. Unapologetic.
If your testosterone's still floating somewhere above normal and your circle runs deep with ride-or-die friends - you’ll feel this one.
And finally, the full playlist! 🤘
You can play it along, or just save within your Spotify account. Be safe, Lukas & Adi.