Just Before The Drop: #7
Featuring: A Day To Remember, Disturbed Silverstein and more. Check out the newest issue of your weekly, curated modern punk & hardcore music recommendations.
Oi!
Stoked to have you back for another fresh issue of Just Before The Drop. This week, we’ve got a solid selection of tracks lined up - leaning a bit more into punk and alternative vibes rather than the hardcore-ish heaviness. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of energy to go around. Let’s go!
Make It Make Sense
by A Day To Remember | selected by Lukas
But before we jump into these less-crazy vibes let’s go hard as usual!
New album from A Day To Remember is coming!
I can’t hold myself back from saying this - I’m hyped! You guys don’t know that but A Day To Remember is one of those bands that shaped my entire love for post-hardcore and metalcore. If you’ve somehow never dived into their discography, do yourself a favor and start from And Their Name Was Treason. That record is an absolute classic, and even 20 years later, it still hits fuck’n hard!
Now, Make It Make Sense is here, following the already solid releases of Feedback and LeBron, and guys, it keeps the momentum going. While LeBron had that fun, bouncy energy (all the "whoohooos”) and Feedback leaned into their rockier side, this one pulls ADTR back into their heavier, more intense roots. From the first riff, it’s clear they’re not holding back - tight, driving guitars, punchy drums, and Jeremy McKinnon’s signature mix of soaring cleans and raw intensity. I can even hear the new style of Sam Carter’s growls from Architects (btw. their new album in 2 days).
Check out this promo short from YT that they’ve recored. Old good ADTR!Le
Take The Pain Away
by From Fall to Spring | picked by Adi
Time to take a look at the European scene. From Fall To Spring, a German band, recently tried to represent their country in Eurovision, securing second place in the national TikTok vote. They didn’t make it to the final competition, but the attempt brought them some well-deserved attention, with local stations describing their sound as a mix of Bring Me The Horizon, Breaking Benjamin, and Falling in Reverse.
Their latest track, Take The Pain Away, showcases a softer side of the band. Despite being on the scene since 2008, they only released their debut album two years ago. Since then, they’ve been staying on the radar with occasional singles. But if you're expecting something truly heavy, let’s set things straight - this is more about rap verses and insanely melodic choruses than breakdowns and growls. Even Breaking Benjamin has heavier songs than these guys.
But don’t let that put you off - From Fall To Spring has never hidden their radio-friendly ambitions, so their music is designed to be highly listenable. If you’re looking for them, check the "friendly metal" section rather than "doomsday-metalcore."
Left Alone
by Our Last Night | picked by Lukas
From the very beginning of their career, Our Last Night has been masters of covers, taking mainstream hits and flipping them into post-hardcore anthems. And while those covers have played a huge role in their success, it’s always a real treat to hear them drop fresh, original music.
Now, they’re gearing up for a new full-length album, Left Alone, and the title track is the perfect equalizer to introduce what’s coming. Right away, you can feel a more balanced vocal dynamics, with clean parts being evenly split between the brothers, giving the track a richer, more melodic flow. The interplay between Trevor’s powerful delivery and Matt’s smooth, soaring vocals adds depth, making the song hit even harder when the energy kicks in.
Musically, Left Alone leans into elegant chorus, tight riffs acompaniament with blinking melodic parts, building tension to the final screams - exactly what OLN does best. The production is crisp, the hooks are undeniable, and the entire track carries a grand, cinematic feel that suggests the album is going to be something special. If this is just the beginning, then we’re in for a killer release.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
For The Plot
by As December Falls | picked by Lukas
As December Falls is a band I hadn’t really listened to before, so this was a good chance to get familiar with them. So before diving into their latest track, For The Plot, let’s take a quick look at what they’re about.
Coming from Nottingham, UK, As December Falls has been steadily growing in the pop-punk and alternative scene. They operate completely independently, handling everything themselves - from recording to touring - which is something you don’t see too often these days. Their sound brings a mix of modern pop-punk energy with a bit more weight, giving them a distinct presence without leaning too far into either extreme.
Now onto For The Plot - the newest single from their upcoming album. It’s a straightforward, pop-punk, high-energy track that keeps things tight and to the point. The guitars are sharp, the rhythm drives the song forward without overcomplicating things, and Bethany Curtis’ vocals cut through with blast. The chorus is big and built for live shows, balancing melody with a bit of grit, making it an easy addition to their growing catalog. I love girly vocals in such trucks, it fits so well.
If the rest of the album follows this direction, it’s shaping up to be a solid release. For The Plot keeps things familiar but fresh enough to leave a good impression. Definitely a band worth keeping on the radar. Bit candy-ish but still … Check out the video! 👇
Merry Go ‘Round
by The Honesty, Crooked Teeth | selected by Adi
Something for punk rock fans, especially those who grew up on MxPx. From the very first lines, you’ll catch that Bremerton veterans vibe. The Honesty has already released two full-length albums, and this time, they’re teaming up with Tyson Evans from Crooked Teeth, delivering a tight, pop-punk arrangement straight out of sunny California.
Their debut album was produced by Sam Pura, known for his work with The Story So Far, State Champs, and The Dangerous Summer, so the bar was set pretty high from the start. And with Merry Go 'Round, they keep that melodic, high-energy sound going strong.
This is the way it's gonna shake out, this is the way we're gonna break out - don’t expect political or anti-system statements here. The focus is more on relationships unraveling in less-than-pleasant ways. If that theme hits close to home, chances are The Honesty will resonate even more, as their catalog is filled with songs carrying the same kind of emotional weight.
Madagascar, Really?
by St. Plaster | picked by Adi
Punk rock on steroids, mixed with anti-political rebellion, a touch of vulgar language, and energy out of nowhere. You’ve got to hand it to St. Plaster - they know how to describe their music in a way that sticks.
This is a band that keeps dying and coming back to life, originally meant to be a one-off project by Adrian Delange (not to be confused with DeLonge) from Call It Off and Tim van Doorn from Big Dog Recordings. But the most recognizable name here is Hans Roofthooft from Belgian punk legends F.O.D.
Their influences are loud and clear - No Use For A Name, Bad Religion, Rancid, and early Green Day - but there’s also a strong dose of Belvedere-style skate-punk in the mix. The result? A high-energy, no-nonsense sound that hits fast and hard.
Now, let’s just hope they don’t make us wait another six years for new music. With their new EP dropping now, fingers crossed it’s a sign of something more consistent this time around.
Heart of Darkness
by Church Tongue | written by Adi
Alright, but just so it’s not all radio-friendly hits this week, here’s something that kicks in the door with zero warning - as intense as downing a Carolina Reaper with just water to wash it down.
The metalcore crew from Indianapolis decided to ruin Valentine’s Day in the best way possible by dropping their second EP, You'll Know It Was Me, on February 14. And with lines like I will tear you apart, no paradise that doesn't make me think twice, it’s safe to say the lyrical protagonist wasn’t exactly in a romantic mood.
Then again, with Nicko Calderon (who also plays in Knocked Loose) on guitar and the band now signed to Pure Noise Records, you already know what to expect. This thing hits hard, and the opening track, Heart of Darkness, sets the tone right away - no mercy, no sugarcoating, just pure aggression.
Frontman Mike Sugars describes the EP as a short story about love. Yeah … safe to say this one’s not ending in a wedding.
Stress
by Silverstein | written by Lukas
Canadian Silverstein has always been one of those bands that know exactly how to balance melody and intensity, packing it into the post-hardcore sentiment. Their latest release proves they’re still at the top of their game. New album Antibloom may be short, but it covers a lot into its runtime - concise, focused, and with no wasted space. Stress was the final single leading up to its release, and it fits perfectly as the last preview of what this record has to offer.
The track leans into the heavier side of Silverstein’s sound, bringing in tight, punchy riffs and relentless energy. Shane Told’s vocals shift seamlessly between controlled cleans and more aggressive moments, which we have a lot here, creating the kind of contrast that has always made their music stand out. The chorus hits with a sense of urgency, and the instrumental work keeps the momentum high without overcomplicating things.
Maybe I’m stressed from the pressure!
With the record now fully out, Stress stands as one of its defining moments - a track that captures the essence of what makes Silverstein’s sound still so effective and recognizable after all these years. If you haven’t checked out it yet, now’s the time.
House of Glass 🏚️
by Afterlove, Siamese | picked by Lukas
So I've been a huge fan of Danish underdogs from Siamese for a while now. Their last album, Elements, was a brilliant fusion of post-hardcore, alternative rock, and electronic elements, showcasing their versatility and a new, very interesting approach.
Now Mirza Radonjica, the Siamese vocalist is rolling out a new side project called Afterlove, paring with Zac Allen from If Not For Me and Zack Baker of 💛 Rain City Drive - if you know the bands you may now squeezing your head, preventing from blow. And so weirdly it’s shown as a collaboration between those two bands?
House of Glass blends emotive rock sensibilities with Siamese's polished alternative sound pinched with electronic rhythms, as well as original voice tint of Radonjica, resulting in a song that's both intense and catchy. The interplay is seamless, highlighting ability to complement styles.
This single serves as a promising introduction to their upcoming joint EP album named Copenhagen Closure, hinting at a collection of tracks that will resonate with fans of Siamese. I just can’t wait for the full exposure.
I Will Not Break
by Disturbed | picked by Adi
Let’s finish that with a style!
17 million albums sold. 14 billion (!) streams. At this point, Disturbed has long passed the mainstream threshold and solidified their status as a metal icon. Now, 25 years after releasing their opus magnum, The Sickness, they’re heading out on a massive anniversary tour to celebrate the album that defined their career.
Their latest track, I Will Not Break, stays true to the anthemic, hard-hitting sound they’ve built over the years. Right from the start, you get that signature David Draiman barking intro, something he could probably patent at this point. The song itself is classic Disturbed - big, powerful, and carrying the same “rise above the struggle" message that has always resonated with their fans. Draiman himself describes it as a must-have song about becoming stronger than those who try to break you.
But this is just the beginning of their next chapter. In 2025, Disturbed is dropping a new album and embarking on The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour, which will feature 34 shows with a two-set format—the first dedicated to performing The Sickness in its entirety, and the second packed with their greatest hits.
And if I Will Not Break is any indication, this year belongs to Disturbed.