Just Before The Drop: #8
Featuring: Architects, Millington, Vanna and more. Check out the newest issue of your weekly, curated modern punk & hardcore music recommendations.
Hey Party People!
Another week, another batch of absolute hits! This time around, we’ve selected a wild mix - some punky, even ska-infused vibes alongside high-pace metalcore “trains”. Whether you need a sonic kickstart to your next day or just a excuse to make you smile like an idiot, we’ve got you covered.
Crank it up, let the riffs do the magic, let’s dive into the new and fresh JBTD! 🚀🔥
Incomplete
by 408 | picked by Adi
408 is a band from Florida that’s making waves and pushing their way forward with serious momentum. So much so that in 2025, they’ll be playing in every city that hosts this year’s Vans Warped Tour. Their hometown of Orlando is expected to be the hottest stop - and I’m not just talking about the weather.
Lyrically, Incomplete dives into relationships and unfulfilled love, with Kalie Wolfe from the dark-pop-rock band Rivals stepping in to perfectly complement the track vocally. Ironically, for a song about incompleteness, it feels incredibly complete - especially since Wolfe’s vocals practically take over the entire track.
Florida’s atmosphere has played a major role in shaping 408’s sound. Honestly, every one of their songs could be paired with a blurry Polaroid of a mystery girl, bathed in the glow of an ocean sunset. Ocean Avenue, anyone? 🏖️
But don’t stop at Incomplete - 408 has plenty more to offer. Check out We Don’t Get High Like We Used To for a taste of their more pop-punk-driven side.
The Nile
by Ghost in Stereo | picked by Lukas
Ghost In Stereo is a fairly fresh force coming from Denver, Colorado's metalcore scene. They’ve been around, releasing music from 2022. Now, they’re rolling out EP that forecasts (as they claim) a new full-length album.
Their new track The Nile showcases the band's dynamic range, blending aggressive riffs with melodic interludes as well as roughness of old-school emo. Vocals are versatile, mixing clean and growl parts, structure is complex, with multiple tempo changes you will get melodic guitar parts with some “side-located” synth keys accompaniment. There are some guitar solos too. Very interesting blend. Check it!
Brain Dead
by Architects, House of Protection | written by Adi
Can you believe this is already Architects’ 11th album?
Over 20 years in the game, and the British metalcore giants are still sitting high on their Olympus. The Sky, the Earth & All Between aims to prove they’re far from resting on their laurels - something critics have accused them of in recent years.
Brain Dead hits like a punch straight to the gut. Clocking in at 2:48 of pure hardcore energy, it doesn’t stop until it crashes headfirst into a crushing breakdown. The music video might remind you of those gritty, 90s hardcore aesthetics, but in true Architects fashion, there’s still plenty of melody woven in. Lyrically? Another reflection of frustration and disappointment with the modern world.
Looking at how well the previous singles have been received, the metalcore scene seems to agree - even before its release, The Sky, the Earth & All Between is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most intriguing records.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Landslide
by Millington | picked by Lukas
Alright, who’s ready to jump? Landslide is Millington at their absolute best - tight, punchy, and dripping with that perfect blend of ska-punk energy. The horns? Crisp. The riffs? Bouncy. The chorus? Melodic, will definitely stay in your head for the rest of the damn day.
From the very first notes, Landslide welcomes you with its jumpy rhythmic riffs and those signature brass, brining you the band’s best. Oh no, wait a second. That you have just after a very first plucking on the strings sounds a bit like … A Day To Remember? 🤔 Anyway, The track is all about movement - literally and figuratively. It’s a part of their upcoming EP - dates not announced yet.
From their first albums Millington has been riding that perfect middle lane between nostalgic third-wave ska and modern punk energy, and this track locks that formula in. If you’ve ever lost your voice screaming along to Less Than Jake, skanked through a Streetlight Manifesto set, or just needed a song that makes everything feel a little lighter, Landslide is that track.
Forgive
by Shoreline, Knuckle Puck | picked by Adi
Just after a bit lighter stuff, let’s kick things off strong with an absolute emo pop-punk banger from the guys in Shoreline, featuring none other than Joe Taylor from Knuckle Puck.
Shoreline’s vocalist, Hansol Seung, has Asian roots but grew up in Germany, and on their latest album (already their third full-length), he confronts the racism he’s experienced throughout his life. Shoreline isn’t just about catchy melodies and relationship drama - it’s a darker, deeply personal journey through raw emotions and introspective storytelling.
The same goes for Forgive, where the lyrics hit hard:
I am sorry that I can’t be
The person that you need
'Cause I’m too caught up in my full-time job and my own stories
I can only pray for your forgiveness
If you somehow haven’t checked out Knuckle Puck, do yourself a favor and fix that - then dive straight into Shoreline. If emotional, high-energy punk rock is your thing, this one’s going to hit just right.
Quite Place
by Vanna | selected by Lukas
After a seven-year hiatus, Boston's own Vanna has stormed back onto the scene with their latest single, Quiet Place released on February 28, 2025. This track marks their first new material since 2016 and showcases the band's return to their raw, unfiltered hardcore roots.
The current lineup features original members Chris Preece on vocals, guitarists Evan Pharmakis and Nick Lambert, bassist Shawn Marquis, and drummer Brandon Davis. This reunion brings back the chemistry that fueled their early success, evident in the cohesive energy of the new single.
Quiet Place mixes aggressive, sour riffs with guttural vocals, blending an unprecedented range of voice tones and styles, capturing the essence of Vanna's signature sound. The track seems to be a bit of introspection, resonating with both long-time fans and grabs the new listeners. I’m feeling even a bit of nostalgy here.
Prior to this release, Vanna reunited for a special 15th-anniversary performance of their 2009 album A New Hope in July 2024. Following this, they operated under the moniker INSPIRIT, releasing new material and performing live shows. However, recognizing the strong connection fans had with the Vanna name, they decided to officially revive it, marking a new chapter in their musical journey. Let’s wait for more!
Abandon Us
by Killswitch Engage | picked by Lukas
After a six-year hiatus since their 2019 release Atonement, Killswitch Engage has returned with their ninth studio album, This Consequence.
So what's notable at very first tones This Consequence diverges from the band's previous polished productions, embracing a rawer, more unrefined aesthetic. There is this effect - the sound of obsolete production - that makes a very weird feeling, immediately you're wondering if there's nothing wrong with the sound quality itself. But it’s like that, it was purposeful.
So this shift brought varied reactions among fans and critics. Some appreciate the nostalgic nod to early 2000s metalcore, while others feel the production lacks the clarity of earlier works. Critics have also weighed in on this stylistic choice. Boolin Tunes observed the album's raw production, at the same time aiming to compliment band’s heavy songwriting, finally pointing that it’s simply sounds fumbled, highlighting a departure from the band's typically tight sound. Very confusing.
But let’s put aside the sound and the way of recording it. Let’s focus on the music as it is. This Consequence showcases Killswitch Engage's signature blend of heavy instrumentation and melodic hooks. Tracks like Forever Aligned and I Believe exemplify this balance, offering both intensity and catchiness. Selected Abandon Us served as the album’s latest single - as well as being the great opener - it’s a flawless fusion of intense riffs, melodic passages, and varied vocal dynamics. Good stuff.
As you may notice on Spotify they counting millions in streams on this record now. So no matter how they decided to record this thing fans are here and they like it. I’m circling around this one, returning with this interest of what actually happened here. 😅
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Kilonova
by The Unguided | written by Lukas
This guys were new to me, so I would like to share some history about them with you, before we tackle the final song of this great issue.
The Unguided is a Swedish melodic death metal band formed in 2010 by former members of Sonic Syndicate. They came together to pursue a heavier and more melodic sound. Their debut album, Hell Frost, was released in 2011, showcased their blend of catchy melodies, growling vocals, and intricate guitar work. Interesting throwback for those into this specific genre.
Their upcoming sixth studio album, Hellven, is set for release on March 7, 2025. Lately the band has released single Kilonova, which serves as the third leading up to the full album that is just around the corner.
This track might be a bit confusing at first. My initial impression was that I was hearing an interesting blend of classic metalcore with - exactly - some unmistakable Scandinavian power metal influences. It’s got a fast tempo, melodic riffs, and even breakdowns. However, the vocals feel like they’ve been pulled straight out of Game of Thrones. 🪄
Nevertheless, it’s catchy, well-constructed, and does a great job of building tension for what’s to come further in this track. That’s why I decided to include it here - I think it adds a great bit of variety. Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Troubled Waters
by The Speakeasy | picked by Adi
Time to head over to chilly Canada, where the sun of California occasionally shines - usually when bands like The Speakeasy take the stage. Active since 2017, they’ve been lighting up the Montreal scene with high-energy performances, and now, just like the cover of their latest single suggests, it’s time to set sail into the dangerous waters of the rock and roll world.
Their second album dropped via Thousand Islands Records, but as the band themselves put it:
It’s not about signing record deals - it’s about breaking the chains of creative imprisonment. It’s about getting up when you fall. About battling mental health struggles and the chaos of love.
For a still relatively small band, their latest single is surprisingly well-produced, with an intriguing verse that builds into a blazing, explosive chorus. If the rest of the album sticks to this formula, you just might find yourself venturing into a dimly lit basement in Quebec for one of their gigs.
Where I Lay
by Movements | picked by Adi
Where I Lay is for the outcasts and for anyone who's never quite fit into this world.
Movements' frontman Patrick Miranda doesn’t leave any doubt about who their latest single is meant for.
As they celebrate 10 years as a band, the Orange County post-hardcore outfit is gearing up for a North American tour, bringing some friends from Citizen, Scowl, and Wonward along for the ride. Kicking off in March, the 24-date run promises their signature mix of post-hardcore and alternative rock, drawing from influences like La Dispute, Title Fight, and Thrice. If Movements haven’t been on your radar yet, that lineup alone should convince you to hit play on Where I Lay - and trust us, you won’t regret it.
Miranda has always been open about his mental health struggles, something deeply reflected in his lyrics. If you’re into music that dives headfirst into the complexities of the human mind, Movements offer a one-way ticket to a thought-provoking ride.