Detroit has a reputation as a violent, forgotten, post-industrial wasteland. Never Ending Game come from these destructive circumstances, but vocalist Mikey Petroski and the band, while witnessing desperation, want to try to bring a different reaction.
Speaking of the thematic thread of their record on Triple B, Outcry, Peroski says, “The themes are layered on this one, anyone who listens might take away something different. We talk of examining our inner selves and coming to grips with what meaning our lives hold. Not just to ourselves and to those we care about, but to the legacy of what we will leave behind when we’re gone. Life doesn’t get easier as you get older and it’s up to us if we want to just run out the clock or take control of life before death comes. Looking at the world around us, there’s a million reasons to be cynical, so we try to shift the focus to the things we can control and be proud of.”
This attitude is evident on tracks such as “Fire of the Heart,” “Victory,” and “Never Die” (which happens to feature additional vocals from Justice Tripp of Trapped Under Ice and Sam Trapkin of Turnstile and TUI). As one listens to this album of 11 tracks in 31 minutes, it’s quickly apparent that this is still a dark record. Outcry incorporates injections of metal on top of a metallic hardcore foundation—not just heavy riffs or timing, but textured solos, emotional intros, dive bombs, and a bevvy of double bass.
“It’s our best record,” says Petroski proudly. “I know every band says that about the new stuff, but this is the clear number one for me. It’s got a great flow and variety to the sounds. It’s like if we made a mixtape of all our favorite shit and then covered it. I feel like we all shined as players and performers on this one. I couldn’t be more proud of my guys.”
Instead of an arduous, taxing endeavor, Petroski looks back on recording Outcry fondly.
“One of the most fun weeks of my life. We’re not a full-time band, and we all kind of live spread out now, so when we all get together, it’s chaos. Some of the hardest laughs I’ve ever had. Me and Will (Kaelin, also in Gridiron) were at each other’s throats the whole time, so that’s how you know it’s a good one—because we battled through wanting to kill each other and came out on top. Andy Nelson (credits include Weekend Nachos, Like Rats, etc.) at Bricktop Studio in Chicago was the ringleader. He got the best out of all of us. He is the secret ingredient to our sound.”
You can order Outcry from Triple B Records. Follow Never Ending Game on Instagram to keep up with future updates.
Photo courtesy of Danielle Parsons.
