Texas hardcore group Die Young banded together back in 2002 with the goal of playing a more punk-forward style of hardcore, keeping things simple, fun, and built to withstand the grind of touring. The band ripped through sets on tours all over the world, as well as released handfuls of EP’s, split records, and eventually their first proper full-length (Graven Images), all of which encapsulated the band’s raw intensity and high energy. After grinding it out for seven years, they decided to take a break in 2009. Fast forward to 2013, they came back together and have been making incremental gains towards a bulkier, more dynamic sound on every release since.
That brings us to why we’re here right now: Tomorrow’s release of Die Young’s brand new EP, Wanted to Believe, which presents five songs of unconstrained ferocity and a newfound vigor for the Texas wrecking crew. The EP will be released on vinyl through Immigrant Sun Records and Dead Truth Recordings, on tape through Coreruption Records, and self-released by the band on CD.
The EP’s self-titled opener sets things off with a circle pit inducing riff, immediately showcasing the metallic components that have expanded the dynamics of this band’s songwriting over the years. Alternating riffs, double bass, a bell-riding groove, a shredding solo, and crushing breakdowns, all packed into this opening track shows how this band has really been able to add meat to the bone of their original sound.
Die Young strengthens their core and intensifies their heaviness through the absolute beatdown that is “One Hell (For Another),” and then again through the demolishing power of “Messianic Age.” While it’s easy to point out that the band has made everything massively heavier, they still reveal glimpses of the straightforward punk spirit that grounds them – see songs “Until You Die” and “Forbidden Images.”
Of the new EP, Die Young vocalist Daniel Austin states: “As a band who has been putting out records for more than 20 years, we feel any attempt to put out new music always has to be justifiable. And for new music to be truly justifiable of the time, money, and effort it takes to record and publish, it has to be inspired and invigorating—just like when we were inspired to create this band and put out our first demo as teenagers. That same passion is still there for us now, and it’s still a vital feeling to tap into.”
He continues, “These songs are pure expressions that we had to put out into the world or else we would have regretted not doing so. I think we continue to evolve as a band, both lyrically and musically, but we’re still staying true to the vision of hardcore that we started out with in 2002. We’re still writing hardcore you can circle pit to, throw windmills to, fingerpoint to, and if you dare … Sit down, read the lyrics to, and in doing so we hope that you may find challenging ideas to mentally chew on.”
Die Young are: Daniel Austin on vocals, as well as lyrics and studio guitar; Michael Arellano on drums, Christopher Dawson on bass; Rogelio Vigil on lead guitar; and Jeff Williams performing guitar live.
Die Young dedicate the set of smashers heard on Wanted to Believe to fallen friends Pete Kowalsky (Ether Coven, Bishop, Remembering Never, etc.), Steven Jon (Hollow Earth), and John Rivera (Headfirst Records).
Wanted to Believe tracklist:
1. Wanted to Believe
2. One Hell (For Another)
3. Until You Die
4. Messianic Age
5. Forbidden Images
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Listen to Wanted to Believe by Die Young here:
Wanted to Believe releases on March 14; purchase it here.
Photo taken by Dylan Shay
