Born out of Hudson Valley’s ever-evolving scene in 2018, Age Of Apocalypse has proven themselves to be the next evolutionary step in bringing metallic hardcore with sung vocals to a modern era. On their second full-length LP In Oblivion, the band takes everything that caught the world’s attention on 2022’s Grim Wisdom and triples down on it all, showing their penchant for writing genuinely huge metallic hardcore epics without eschewing any of the frenetic energy inherent to the genre. These attributes are on display on the album’s new single, “Impulse,” where vocalist Dylan Kaplowitz is joined by Graham Sayle of High Vis on guest vocals.
Kaplowitz comments: “‘Impulse‘ lyrically is just emphasizing that empathy is not weakness. It’s suggesting that looking through the eyes of someone else one might be able to find peace. It’s specifically touching on police violence and the dehumanizing protocols that are sometimes taken to exert ‘the law.'”
In Oblivion was produced by Taylor Young (Twitching Tongues, God’s Hate) and partially recorded at The Pit. Young’s work both as a musician and his clear history in playing hardcore centered around clean singing comes out in spades, as the album manages to help progress this dynamic into a new era. The record finds Kaplowitz standing comfortably next to what Steele and Jenkins were doing in the 90s, while bringing his own flair and emotive ability to the forefront. The rest of the band flourishes equally, as Jack Xiques’ riffs blend together everything from Stigmata, Section 8, Randy Rhoads and Paul Gilbert into a singular, thrilling sound. While many have tried and failed to bridge the gap between clean vocals and hardcore, Age Of Apocalypse have taken the throne as modern masters of the sound.
Pre-order In Oblivionhere and see Age Of Apocalypse on tour in the U.S.A now with a European tour to follow in September.
Age Of Apocalypse, on tour: 4/16 Denver, CO 7th Circle 4/17 Oklahoma City VFW 9265 4/18 Des Moines, IA Helter Shelter 4/19 Chicago, IL Albion house 4/25 Louisville, KY LDB 4/27 Syracuse, NY 108 Silver St.
9/17 UK Glasgow Audio % 9/18 UK Leeds Bloom % 9/19 UK Brighton DIE Fest % 9/20 UK Newcastle The Grove % 9/21 UK Birmingham Muthers % 9/22 FR Paris Glazart % 9/23 BE Antwerp Kavka % 9/24 NL Maastricht Muziekgieterij % 9/25 DE Bochum Die Trompete % 9/26 DE Hamburg Hafenklang % 9/27 DE Berlin Urban Spree % 9/28 DE Erfurt AJZ % % with Balmora, Cross Of Disbelief
In Oblivion, track listing:
Over Mine Mortal Coil Maximum Suffering Gilded Hatred In Oblivion Equalizer Apocalypse Intro Impulse Snake Oil God Symbol of Mourning
