Just Before The Drop: #14
Featuring: Stand Atlantic, Underoath, Magnolia Park and more. Check out the newest issue of your weekly, curated modern punk & hardcore music recommendations.
Hi friends!
We’re back with a new batch of modern punk and hardcore picks to soundtrack this slightly lazy Easter week. Hope you had a well-deserved break – and now, it’s time to ease back in with a playlist we cooked up just for the occasion.
As always, it’s a solid mix: some fast and heavy punches, paired with a few lighter, more melodic touches to keep things balanced. So, without stretching this intro too much… let’s get into this week’s stuff!
Lukas & Adi 🤘
Mr. Highway’s Thinking About The End
by Then It Ends | picked by Lukas
Straight outta Iowa’s metalcore trenches, Then It Ends just dropped a blistering cover of A Day To Remember’s classic Mr. Highway’s Thinking About The End.
Formed in 2019, Then It Ends brings together members from A Past Unknown and Dividing the Masses. They set a mission to deliver heavy music with a message of hope. Their debut album, Restored, dropped in 2020, followed by Closure in 2024, showcasing their evolution in the metalcore scene.
Their rendition of Mr. Highway’s Thinking About The End is a proof of building along with their roots and influences. The original track, released by A Day To Remember in 2009, is known for its intense breakdowns and emotional depth. Then It Ends amplifies this intensity, infusing the cover with their signature blend of aggression and melody. You’ll get a flavor of old good ATD, but with this quite fresh arrangement even a bit stronger then you probably expect.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
This Song I Wrote For You 🇵🇱
by Thirty-Three Rotations | picked by Adi
This is the news of the week! After 20 years, a band that stormed through the Polish hardcore scene during a few short but intense years is making a comeback. A band that played around 100 energy-fueled shows in just over four years before breaking up when its members moved abroad. Now, almost fully reunited, they’re back to rally the troops and deliver more of that “American hardcore” sound. A brand new full-length album is on the way - and probably some shows too - so this is shaping up to be a big deal for the Polish scene!
FOUND
by Lives Lost | picked by Lukas
Lives Lost, the alt-metal/post-hardcore outfit from Hershey, PA, has just dropped FOUND a soaring anthem featuring none other than Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens. This track is the final single from their upcoming EP Home, set to release on April 25, 2025.
As we can read from recent interviews FOUND is a deeply personal song for lead vocalist Tanis Pellegrini, reflecting on the unwavering love he has for his wife and how they found each other despite past heartaches. The track builds to an impassioned breakdown and outro, reinforcing the eternal nature of their bond.
Kellin Quinn’s contribution adds a layer of emotional intensity to the song. Known for his distinctive vocals, Quinn has been active with various collaborations, including his side project Haunted Mouths and recent features with artists like Forever On High . His presence on FOUND bridges the gap between the raw emotion of Lives Lost and the melodic sensibilities he brings to the table.
SUMMER DISEASE 🎷
by Millington | picked by Adi
Summer’s creeping in fast, so it’s the perfect time to shift into those breezy, feel-good pop-ska-punk vibes - right where the guys from Millington feel totally at home. If you’re looking for something to brighten your day, lift your mood, and you happen to think trumpets are actually a cool instrument, then you’ve gotta check out this “band from the suburbs” (as they call themselves) - if you haven’t already, that is.
There’s also a good chance you discovered them through their brilliant covers of pop-punk classics on the Brass Emo EP, where they put their ska spin on tracks by Good Charlotte, Fall Out Boy, Yellowcard, or New Found Glory. So yeah - take those bands, add some brass, and boom: you’ve basically got Millington.
I'm The Man
Stand Atlantic, Lauren Sanderson | picked by Adi
The Aussies, led by the fierce Bonnie Fraser, are solidifying their place on the punk rock scene with an extended version of their latest release. On May 16, we’re getting the deluxe edition of Was Here, featuring a handful of new tracks - one of them being I’m The Man. This one features Californian artist Lauren Sanderson, more known for her rap-rock style, but honestly? She and Bonnie complement each other perfectly.
Alongside the new songs, Was Here (Deluxe) will also include remixes of tracks from the original release - like Freaking Out with guest vocals from PVRIS, or a remix of Criminal done by Mr. Bill.
Fun fact: the new single was originally supposed to be on the first version of the record, but as Bonnie Fraser admitted - it just wasn’t ready yet.
The track starts off with the idea of “what if I was a rich asshole who didn’t care about anything”. That concept evolved into a commentary on the current political climate and how our band approaches it.
7 Horns, 7 Eyes, 7 Seals
by Irae | selected by Lukas
If you’ve ever screamed along to Break the Cycle or Fearless, you know what Mattie Montgomery meant to the early metalcore scene. Now, after years of relative quiet, the former For Today frontman is back - and not just with a whisper, but with a roar. His feature on Irae’s latest track, 7 Horns, 7 Eyes, 7 Seals feels like a resurrection.
Irae, a band that’s been steadily carving their name into the progressive deathcore landscape, delivers a track that’s both crushing and contemplative. The song’s title draws from this apocalyptic imagery, and the music matches that intensity too. On top of that Montgomery’s vocals add a layer of urgency and conviction that harks back to his For Today days, yet feels entirely fresh in this new context.
This collaboration bridges the gap between the foundational sounds of early metalcore and the evolving landscape of modern heavy music. For fans old and new, 7 Horns, 7 Eyes, 7 Seals is a must-listen - a testament to the enduring power of passionate, purposeful music. I was super stocked to hear this collab!
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Shame
by Underoath | picked by Lukas
Disco from Underoath? You can get it, with no doubts! 🎧 Latest track Shame from their tenth album The Place After This One, showcases the band's continued evolution. The song opens with a near-tribal beat, leading into a blend of electronic (disco’ish) elements evolving to heavy guitar riffs. Drummer Aaron Gillespie's vocals shine in the pre-chorus, delivering lines:
It feels like falling
Evil you wanted
Bet you feel safe
Carry the weight
This track exemplifies Underoath's ability to fuse different genres, creating a unique sound that resonates with both longtime fans and new listeners.
While some critics have noted that the song's structure might feel repetitive, with the chorus relying heavily on the song title, others appreciate the contrast between the electronic and heavy elements. The track's production quality and the band's willingness to experiment are evident, making Shame a standout on the album.
Finally, if you’re expecting that classic, rough, super edgy and heavy Underoath sound - this new record has you absolutely covered. But if you’re also hoping for something fresh and unexpected, well, they’ve got that too. Somehow, they've blended the two sides seamlessly, and the result lands surprisingly awesome!
Crave
by Magnolia Park | picked by Lukas
If you read us regularly, you already know just how much love and sentiment I’ve got for this band. I’ve been counting down the days for this new album, restless as hell, just waiting for it to finally drop - and yeah, it's here now, and oh boy, it’s soooo damn good!
CRAVE featuring PINKNOISE, is a standout from their ambitious concept album VAMP. This song delves into themes of desire and toxic love, aligning with the album's narrative of Aurora X1's tumultuous journey. The collaboration with PINKNOISE adds a fresh dimension to the band's evolving sound, blending elements of nu-metal and electronic influences. CRAVE exemplifies Magnolia Park's commitment to pushing genre boundaries while maintaining their core identity.
For fans of bands like Bad Omens and Bring Me The Horizon, I think that CRAVE offers a compelling mix of heavy riffs, heavy growls and melodic hooks. It's a testament to Magnolia Park's growth and their ability to craft songs that resonate both thematically and musically.
But this track is just the beginning - seriously, you have to dive into this new album. It's absolutely stunning! I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical after their recent releases, but this record puts all doubts to rest. Honestly, I'd even say they're leaning a bit more into metalcore territory this time around ...
This one might be the best one this year. For me. 😄
Lost In Time
DoFlame | selected by Adi
In 2024, Mateo Naranjo aka DoFlame dropped his debut album Bent, but he’s not slowing down - now he’s back with a follow-up titled Get Bent!. This time, production is handled by none other than Josh Wilbur, known for working with the likes of Korn, Megadeth, and Avenged Sevenfold.
Lost in Time is one of the heaviest hitters on the new record. It’s about phony people who bounce from crew to crew, city to city, just to get ahead. It’s hard to deal with people like that, but deep down you know they’ll eventually get caught, run out of places to go, and be forgotten by time says the Canadian artist.
Naranjo is still young, but if you ever find yourself wishing you were 20 again, filled with that same restless fire and defiant energy - Get Bent! is the record for you.
Never Enough
by Turnstile | picked by Adi
I’m pretty sure Glow On has been a regular guest on your playlists over the past 4 years - and who can blame you? The album landed three Grammy nominations. Now, Turnstile are dropping its follow-up this June, and judging by the first single, we’re in for something fresh. Brendan Yates describes the record as capturing the band’s restless and thrilling sonic evolution.
The end of the new single flows right into the beginning of the next track, instantly sparking curiosity about what’s coming next from one of the most sought-after bands in the genre. Once again, we get that infectious groove, and while Never Enough showcases the band’s lighter side, it’s hard to shake the feeling that the heavier edge of Turnstile will make its presence known on the new release.
For now, let yourself get swept away - and let’s just count down to June.
P.S. As always, don’t skip their music videos - they’re on another level.
And finally, the full playlist! 🤘
You can play it along, or just save within your Spotify account. Be safe, Lukas & Adi.