It’s been 10 years since Kentucky hardcore crushers Knocked Loose first showed up on the scene, pushing an emotional and heavy-as-hell sound on first EP Pop Culture. A few releases and years of hard touring later, Knocked Loose are pretty much the biggest thing in current-day hardcore and, as demonstrated on new album You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, for good reason. The band’s third album is the heaviest they’ve ever sounded, running the spectrum from blast beats and emotional shrieks to violent metallic beatdowns, evolving a sound Knocked Loose have been developing for a decade.
Opening track “Thirst” opens things up with a taste of what Knocked Loose do best: ripping bursts of speed, topped off by Bryan Garris’ instantly-recognizable screams, that transition into breakdowns with little or no warning. It’s the second shortest song on the album, following the sub-50-second “Moss Covers All.” Songs like those contrast singles like “Suffocate,” which features a guest appearance by popstar Poppy; even there, they bring the singer into their world, channeling her metal tendencies into one of her heaviest performances to date.
The other big highlight of You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To is “Blinding Faith,” the first single released from the album. It’s a scathing criticism of religion, and reminiscent of “The Gospel,” the single that first put Knocked Loose on the map. “Blinding Faith” is a much more layered song displaying a higher level of musicianship but it’s a nice reminder that the core sound has never changed, only evolved.
You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To will be a divisive record, between Garris’ vocals, guest appearances like Poppy and Chris Motionless, their status as a “Coachella band” and the fact that “metalcore” is a dirty word. In spite of, and in some cases because of, those factors, Knocked Loose have made a standout record in a year full of them.
Pure Noise will release You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To on May 10.
