Knocked Loose, formed in 2013 in Oldham County, Kentucky, has quickly risen to prominence in the hardcore and metal scene. Known for their raw energy and intense live shows, the band features Bryan Garris (vocals), Isaac Hale (guitar), Kevin Otten (bass), and Kevin Kaine (drums). Their debut EP Pop Culture (2014) and breakthrough album Laugh Tracks (2016) established their aggressive sound. With A Different Shade of Blue (2019) and their latest album You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, Knocked Loose continues to push the boundaries of hardcore, blending diverse influences while maintaining their unrelenting intensity​.

You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To is a dark, intense journey and a blend of fast-paced drums and extremely low-tuned guitars. The album, produced by Drew Fulk, only clocks around 27 minutes across ten tracks so it’s safe to say this is a short album.

The album opens with Thirst a two-minute burst of energy that sets the tone for the record. From there, it moves through a series of visceral tracks like Suffocate, featuring Poppy and combines extreme metal energy with a reggaeton-breakdown. Yes, metal and reggaeton. A weird but tasteful combination. Slaughterhouse 2, with Chris Motionless (singer in Motionless In White), both of which highlight the band’s ability to blend brutal breakdowns with diverse vocal performances​.

Take Me Home stands out with its eerie atmosphere and tension-building, while The Calm That Keeps You Awake introduces industrial elements into the band’s sound, demonstrating their willingness to push boundaries. The closer, Sit & Mourn, is particularly notable for its haunting beauty, combining heavy riffs with melodic and ambient aspects that leave a lasting impression

Criticisms include that Knocked Loose’s sound is extremely exaggerated and that lead singer Bryan Garris’s voice, which is primarily in the high register, is an acquired taste. Personally, after a few songs, I start to get annoyed by his voice, which significantly diminishes the listening pleasure. Of course, if you do like Garris’s voice, this won’t be an issue for you.

Is this a bad album? Definitely not. On a positive note, Knocked Loose brings fresh ideas to the table with their latest release, which certainly helps maintain your attention. Do you love over-the-top, heavy hardcore with a huge dose of metal and the occasional unique twist? Knocked Loose is at your service!

Releasedate: 10-05-2024 – Label: Pure Noise Records | Instagram

Tracklist:
01. Thirst
02. Piece By Piece
03. Suffocate (ft. Poppy)
04. Don’t Reach For Me
05. Miss Covers All
06. Take Me Home
07. Slaughterhouse 2 (ft. Chris Motionless)
08. The Calm That Keeps You Awake
09. Blinding Faith
10. Sit & Mourn