Choose Your Scare
2026, Album (releases 18th September)
The newest release from Pittsburgh's Rise From Your Grave (for the band's past discography click here) emerges from the depths on the 18th September. I recently did a 'deep dive' into their past releases so am hyped to listen to their latest output. Their journey from really heavy, oppressive atmosphere-laden Lovecraftian horror punk metal to their more 'traditional' horror punk sound on more recent releases (whilst still retaining some of that cosmic horror feel) has been exciting and with this latest album, and the singles which were released to prepare for it, their is a massive promise of something extraordinary. So let's take a look at this their seventh major release.
Opening up the album is the appropriately named 'Rise', a great example of RFYG's sound - powerful metal infused horror punk based on The Call of Cthulhu which stampedes it's way across your face, a barnstorming way to open the album dripping with the dark atmosphere and impending terror of the the band do so well, whilst still being sublimely catchy and memorable, resplendent with horror punk hooks. 'Nevermore' follows on, a horror punk retelling of arguably Poe's greatest work, this is a slower paced gothic-horror-punk song which still retains a certain upbeat, fun feeling and hits all the right notes for fans of the genre. Up there with The Simpsons for me in bringing this classic tale to life.
The Freddy Kreuger inspiration on 'Stay Awake', which was the first single release in the build up to this album, may not be unknown territory for horror punk but RFYG deliver an utterly irresistible, catchy-as-hell melodic punk assault with soaring vocals and singalong woah-oh's which leaves this as one of the prime examples of Nightmare on Elm Street referencing songs in the genre. 'Blood(That's All I Want)' follows on with another track that will fester in your skull, pulsating and driven, immensely enjoyable horror punk that does everything right. It certainly shows the change in the band since their earlier releases, where the terror lived in the abyss and in the shadows - this is another (relatively) upbeat song that still delivers the horror and, in this case, Vampire elements so well.
'Live Again' first appeared on the We Are Horror Records compilation 'The Kids Are All Fright!!!'; another excellent slab of melodic horror punk, a pinch of that nostalgic genre-vibe, plenty of horror punk singalong bits, and a touch more of the thrash metal influence the band has always displayed. Serving as a follow up to 'Pieces of You', and set in RFYG's 'The Lake' universe, it serves as inspiration for the album's cover art. 'Like Mother Said' follows on and - for me - is the standout track here, amongst some very strong contenders. It's take on the internal struggles of Norman Bates during Psycho results in a soaring horror punk masterpiece, insanely catchy, a crunching metal sound and loads of atmosphere dripping from the shadows in this tale of murder, madness and motherhood. The single release of this one instantly grabbed my attention and it is perhaps the single best song the band have released - high praise when you look at their discography.
'Dancing On My Grave' is another immediately likeable song; it's got an upbeat sound again, contrasted with the darkness of the lyrics and themes of lost love and the promise of reuniting, bounding along on a punk and metal base. The band's musicianship is always top class, but this release really is polished to perfection, alongside the always superb lyrics. 'We Feast' kicks straight into the 'woah-ohs' (which we all love) before expanding into another one of those sorta-50s prom night nostalgia feeling tracks that permeate the horror punk scene, a bittersweet horror tale (based on the story of Red Dragon) that showcases the ever-present conflict in the genre which some don't quite 'get' but which many of us are absolute suckers for.
The album draws to a close with track 9, an instrumental (and a very well done organ-driven gothic instrumental at that) 'Prelude to Darkness', complete with cracking thunder, which immediately kicks into the final track, the near gothic metal-inspired track 'The Phantom' which features vocals from Katie Garner from Freddy Vs. This is perhaps the most un-RFYG song so far released - and at the same time, one of my favourites. This is just pure Hammer Horror territory, dripping with evocative gothic splendour. It wouldn't sound out of place on a modern day Castlevania remake - you can positively hear the beating of bats wings, the wail of werewolves in the distance and the swishing of the Count's cape. Katie Garner's vocals are delectable, the metal is pronounced, but there's still an underlying horror punk feel to things - which is difficult to do in the genre, but done remarkably well here. A captivating and hugely atmospheric song to end the album on.
I've been a bit obsessed with RFYG in recent weeks. A deep dive into their back catalogue has brought me new appreciation for the band and I was really looking forward to this release. Possibly their most diverse album both musically and lyrically, it does everything right and should be held up as one of the best horror punk releases of the year. For fans of the band's earlier, darker sounds their is still plenty to love here - RFYG never completely lose that terror in the cosmic vastness feel - although I have to admit the journey they have been on has taken them away from some of that very unique sound they had. But when you're left with absolute top-tier horror punk, some incredibly catchy songs including some of the band's very best, and even an epic tale of gothic-romance, you realise that this is a musical journey which has been well worth the time.
You can pre-order the album on Bandcamp both physically and digitally Give the band a follow over on Instagram and Facebook.
