Just Before The Drop: #9
Featuring: Spiritbox, Bury Tomorrow, Our Last Night and more. Check out the newest issue of your weekly, curated modern punk & hardcore music recommendations.
Hello. 👋
We’re super thrilled to welcome you to the 9th issue of Just Before The Drop!
This time, it was really hard for us to omit the heavy-hitters, collecting for you a setlist of really solid post-hardcore and metalcore tracks. We also have some raisins (you know, the juicy odd ones), but the overall perception of this set is to just scream, hard. So we hope you’re ready for this week’s awesome recommendations!
Thanks for being with us. If you like our work, consider sharing this publication with your friends. Let’s go green! 🎧 🔥
Keep Sweet 🍬
by Spiritbox | selected by Lukas
A few issues ago, we were hyped about Spiritbox’s upcoming album—and now, it’s finally here. Tsunami Sea crashes in with a fresh, unpredictable sound, proving again that this band refuses to be boxed in. They’ve been teasing us for months, dropping singles with all kinds of unexpected twists, and Keep Sweet is probably one of the biggest curveballs on the record.
It kicks off fast and aggressive, before suddenly switching lanes - bringing in electronic-blended drums, light, airy guitar work, and Courtney LaPlante’s subtle cleans. Then it builds - the chorus slams in, double-time, hitting with screams. That energy carries into the next verse, where the track balances melody and weight - with clean vocals drifting over growing, heavier riffs, setting up a return to that massive chorus. But just when you think you’ve got the pattern down, the song drops into a downtempo, wrapped in reverbs, spacey textures, screams and a searing guitar solo.
It’s versatile, ethereal, and downright spiritual (nomen omen). The way it transforms from one mood to another feels like an out-of-body experience. If you know the band, their previous album, and you have some solid expectations you’’ll definitely notice that this one gets a bit away from the whole.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Parasite
by Wolves at the Gate | picked by Adi
Ohio metalcore titans are set to drop their sixth album, Wasteland at the end of May - and they’re promoting it with a heavy-hitting statement right from the start. Guitarist Steve Cobucci describes the new single as a tale of the relationship between a parasite and its host. A powerful metaphor reflecting our ties to our weaknesses, tendencies, and sins.
And indeed, we’re getting a track that dives deep into the contradictions within the human mind - our habits, addictions, and the struggle to break free from them.
No more I walk this path,
My veins overcame the lust, I feel it breaks me (…)
Sell it with the venomous gaze. I die, I die.
This one feels tailor-made for a crushing metalcore live show - where at 2:40, the crowd will be obliterating bones, trampling loose phones, and leaving the pit in shambles. In other words, business as usual.
If you don’t know the band we encourage you to check their very first albums as they are solid foundation of the genre, still sounding fresh and catchy. Still.
Tongues
by Thornhill | picked by Adi
This track is all about being torn between two opposing forces: desire and resistance, surrender and defiance. The atmosphere is a constant battle - one moment spiraling into aggression, the next offering a brief moment of relief.
Australia’s metal titans once again make their way into our weekly newsletter, and for good reason - their third full-length album, BODIES, is shaping up to be one of the most important core releases of 2025.
Tongues is the fourth single, once again drenched in that thick, tension-fueled atmosphere - a sound fans of Deftones will instantly recognize and love. The album drops on April 3rd, and I guarantee you - before Easter rolls around, you’ll have every track burned into your memory.
Sunset
by Straight Shot Home | picked by Lukas
When a melodic metalcore band decides to take on a synthwave classic, you might expect you're in for something interesting. Straight Shot Home's rendition of The Midnight's Sunset is an unexpected genre-blending that showcases versatility and creativity.
From the get-go, the track melds the nostalgic vibes of the old track. There is this feeling that you’ve missed the tracks somehow, but, step by step the familiar light melodies are seamlessly intertwined with crunchy guitar riffs and dynamic drumming, creating a soundscape that's both fresh and reminiscent.
Chase Ward's vocals stand out, delivering a performance that oscillates between melodic cleans and powerful screams, capturing the essence of the original while adding a distinct edge. The production quality is top-notch, ensuring that every instrument shines without overshadowing the others.
I’m impressed how easy they transitioned from that light, pop lines into to powerful guitar arrangement, kept the very individual vibe of the inspiration song.
Strange Animals
by Our Last Night | written by Adi
It’s been over 20 years since brothers Trevor and Matthew Wentworth started the band, which many might recognize for their stellar covers of unexpected artists like Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and NSYNC… But don’t let that fool you - these guys put just as much effort into their original material, and this May, we’re getting another full-length album.
This time, it’s a 10-track concept album, set for release in May, and Strange Animals marks the third single, following Tidal Wave and Left Alone. Every track is paired with a music video that interconnects, weaving a story about a lonely man and woman whose love takes a dark turn.
We wanted to create something truly unique. Every track on this album is a separate chapter in a larger story. It’s emotional, it’s intense. We hope fans will feel the work we put into this.
Explains vocalist Trevor Wentworth.
If you love music that carries something bigger, deeper, and more immersive, set your alarm for May 9th when the album officially drops - or better yet, start diving into the story now.
Something Real
by Kidpunk | picked by Lukas
Here we go! Fresh and fiery new artillery from the UK. Newly established KIDPUNK is dropping hit after hit, gearing up for - as they claim - a full album landing later in 2025. Fast, super melodic, packed with that sun-soaked, California-flavored blend of early pop-punks, Britpop, and even a touch of trap… Yeah, you read that right. Fancy that. 🔥
While checking them, you’re in for solid production, a sharp, selective sound, and surprisingly versatile arrangements. The tracks come enriched with subtle electronic elements, racing at full speed - perfect fuel for summer party bangers.
Since its release, Something Real has garnered significant attention, achieving nearly 25,000 streams in its first week. The track exemplifies Kidpunk's commitment to authenticity and innovation, resonating with a growing audience. Interesting collective to follow and to look on further.
Check out previous issues of Just Before The Drop!
Very Clever and Full of the Devil
by Just a Mess | written by Lukas
Just a Mess is a Chicago-based three-piece formed in 2019. Blending (as they introduce themselves) the intensity and emotional depth of Deftones 🤔 with the introspective lyricism of Brand New, they’ve carved out a distinct sound that’s both raw and reflective.
The band’s journey began in an unexpected place a drunk tank, where founding members Tony Sarlo and Kyle Blais met after a wild night out. Their shared passion for music quickly led to the birth of Just a Mess. After parting ways with their original drummer, Kevin Kovacevich stepped in, solidifying the lineup and bringing a fresh dynamic to the band’s rhythm section.
Despite their name, there’s nothing messy about their music. Just a Mess delivers a tight fusion of heavy, guitar-driven riffs, keys, mixed tempos, modulated, sometimes aged vocals and deeply personal lyrics. You’ll get all of this with Very Clever and Full of the Devil. Coming from their fresh album Our Blood Oath this track is a great appetizer for the band’s present and past achievements.
xMOSHLORDx
by Lost Souls & Jonathan Vigil | selected by Lukas
Oh dude! The moment I saw Vigil’s name on the featuring, I knew this one was gonna hit hard! And sure enough, Lost Souls joins forces with The Ghost Inside’s vocalist to craft this one-and-only, mighty track.
Lost Souls, who sounds at times like early We Came as Romans, fairly new on the scene, post-hardcore band reached out Johnathan Vigil from The Ghost Inside and he enthusiastically joined the project. They teased the collaboration as a fusion of their new music with fresh perspectives and dynamic, very original vocals. The result is a track that not only pays homage to the genre's roots but also pushes its boundaries.
It’s definitely original, fresh, and well produced. Fast, heavy, and packed with variety. Vigil’s presence undeniably pushes the band into new territories, adding a layer of intensity that takes their sound to the next level. Now, all that’s left is to keep an eye on them - waiting for a solid, cohesive record that blends all these elements into something even bigger. It’s very promising!
Waiting
by Bury Tomorrow | picked by Adi
This week, this is hands down my heaviest pick - but there’s no way I’m letting you miss a new Bury Tomorrow drop. The Brits spent last year tearing up stages across the UK, Europe, and Australia, and 2025 is shaping up to be even bigger with their eighth album dropping in May.
The fourth single from Will You Haunt Me, with That Same Patience hits like a wet rag straight to the face - the heaviest and darkest track so far from the album’s rollout.
Frontman Dani Winter explains that Waiting is about life’s lowest moments and the process of being reborn through the fire we must walk through.
Next month, they’re heading out on a full US tour with their country fellows While She Sleeps, and most of the venues are already sold out. And trust me - it’s only gonna get worse. Or better. Because these Southampton heavyweights are only getting bigger. We just can’t wait.=
Humming
by Turnover | picked by Adi
Peripheral vision - the ability of the human eye to perceive objects outside the central field of view. That’s one definition. The other?
The ABSOLUTE BEST ALBUM in Turnover’s discography.
The Virginia Beach crew is celebrating ten years of Peripheral Vision the right way: a full-album anniversary tour and a deluxe reissue that’s an absolute must-listen. Alongside remastered fan-favorite tracks, we’re getting instrumental versions of every song, plus new alternative renditions of their biggest hits like Humming and Cutting My Fingers Off.
If you’ve somehow never dived into Peripheral Vision before, this revamped edition is the perfect excuse to discover a band that masterfully blends indie rock, pop punk, emo, soft grunge, and dream pop into something effortless and timeless. And if you’re looking for the perfect album to soundtrack those warm summer nights - well, you just found it. 🌙 ✨