Metalcore veterans Caliban have returned with a new single, the title track featuring The Browning, from their upcoming album Back From Hell, which will be released on April 25, 2025.
Those familiar with the metalcore, deathcore, and modern metal scene know that Caliban has a discography of an impressive 13 albums under their belt, as well as two split albums with Heaven Shall Burn. From Vent (2001) to The Awakening (2007), from I Am Nemesis (2012) to Gravity (2016) and Dystopia (2022), the band has constantly evolved and grown with their sound and their style, moving from pure grueling deathcore to haunting melodies and a variety of different styles in songwriting, making them one of the most acclaimed metal acts in Germany and the global scene as well. The band has had great success incorporating newer approaches and trends within the music scene into their sound and moving with the times.
Hailing from Essen and formed in 1997 as Never Again, the band's current lineup consists of Andreas Dörner (lead vocals), Denis Schmidt and Marc Görtz (guitar), Patrick Grün (drums) and Iain Duncan (bass, clean vocals).
"Back From Hell", is everything you'd want and expect from Caliban, except more mature, more calculated, and more ripe in production than possibly any other song they have ever released. A heavy intro, an even heavier, yet melodic, verse, culminating in an empowering chorus that hits just right when you wake up after a bad day, ready to take on the world and regain control. The second verse includes a surprise breakdown right before the chorus which makes it much more impactful. Another breakdown follows and finally, the song ends with a softer, acoustic version of the chorus, reminding us of Caliban's diversity in sound and giving us a glimpse of the more emotion-heavy side of the band and their performance.
Three other singles have so far been released from the album: "I Was a Happy Kid Once," "Echoes" and "Guilt Trip," featuring Mental Cruelty. Out of the three, "I Was a Happy Kid Once" is my favorite. With a crushing intro and a super bouncy first verse, it immediately drew me in and grabbed me by the collar, just to lift me with a painful chorus that hurt just right. The bridge is expressive and the outro leaves you feeling slapped across the face, in a good way.
When you combine the singles released thus far together, they show the development and the growth of the band and give us an idea of what to expect with the new album coming out in April. We cannot wait!
Watch the music video for "Back From Hell" below:
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