Comeback Kid – Die Knowing

On Symptoms & Cures, Comeback Kid worked within the confines of metalcore more so than on any of their previous releases. The division between the Scott Wade and Andrew Neufeld eras was never more pronounced. Never content to release the same album twice, Comeback Kid return after a few years out of the recording studio renewed and with a fresh injection of punk energy and hardcore breakdowns.

They kick off this release with the slow burn of Die Knowing, a brooding hardcore track which creeps along with a fury in the vein of Ruiner. Within the first few seconds of Lower the Line, they show why they are one of the most important hardcore bands to exist in the past few decades. The track rumbles along with Hatebreed intensity, heavy and catchy at the same time. There is a definite punk influence as well, switching the tempo from a heavy neo hardcore breakdown to raging anger in the vein of Minor Threat or Slayer. Wasted Arrows is a catchy sing along. Andrew Neufeld has come a long way from Broadcasting, his voice showing growth and his range expanding dramatically. Here he ties in Comeback Kid of old with the growth the band have shown musically. First single, Should Know Better is a blistering track that starts off fast and keeps going. It’s a great track, showing Neufeld’s skill on the mic, blending hardcore rage while still maintaining listenability. You can hear the words, which is something that a lot of the lesser hardcore bands lose. Nothing is as off putting as indecipherable screaming. I Depend, I Control is another metallic hardcore track, in the vein of Throwdown (in their non- Pantera worshipping era). Heavy and simple.

The album is front loaded with some of Comeback Kid’s heaviest tracks. They branch out into more experimental territory on the second half. Somewhere in This Miserable… is a groove heavy track, reminiscent of Cancer Bats, destined for long hair headbanging during live sets. The addition of Stu Ross (Misery Signals, Living With Lions) may be the cause of some of the growth. His background brings a fresh perspective to the group, with a blend of metalcore and pop punk, kind of like the Canadian Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory, Shai Hulud). Neufeld’s  songwriting and lyrics show growth and maturity. He nods to those who came before, while refusing to become stagnant. Former vocalist Scott Wade makes an appearance on Full Swing and Poli Correira shows up on Losing Sleep. Wade and Neufeld partner up for a thrashing throwback hardcore punk track. Correia’s contribution has more of a metal influence to it. They slow things down on Unconditional, again stretching out into Ruiner or Defeater territory. They bring the punk with Beyond, which is a catchy song with plenty of whoa ohs and a 90s skate punk sound. 

The songs on Die Knowing reach back to classic hardcore influences, while maintaining a modern edge. Comeback Kid have reaffirmed that they belong at the top of the hardcore punk scene, alongside fellow Winnipeg giants Propagandhi, who also adeptly blend metal, hardcore and punk.  Lyrically, they lean more toward the personal than the political, self-empowerment in the vein of classic positive hardcore, minus the tiresome slogans. A lot of their fan base chose to divide itself based upon whether Scott Wade or Andrew Neufeld were on the mic, but Neufeld does a fine job blending Wade’s beefy aggression with his trademark melodic wail.

Those who were hoping for another Symptoms & Cures will likely be disappointed, but the variation in the songs should please longtime fans and newcomers alike. One of the strongest hardcore bands today has stepped up their game to release an essential album. They burn through the tracks so fast that you will find yourself restarting the album every 32 minutes, over and over. Comeback Kid live up to their name. After each album, they keep on rallying and returning stronger than ever.