In May 2024, Knocked Loose delivered a metalcore powerhouse with You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, an album that stands as a testament to their undeniable growth and domination of the genre. While some bands in their field go all-in on relentless riffs, Knocked Loose achieved something more nuanced: an album that feels like a personal descent and a communal catharsis. A release that critics and fans alike can’t seem to stop dissecting, it didn’t take long for this album to skyrocket on charts and hit rotation in heavy music circles worldwide.
Exploring New Territory While Staying True to Roots
Knocked Loose has come a long way from their earlier days, when straightforward breakdowns and raw aggression defined their sound. With You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, the band clearly retains its signature ferocity but adds layers that invite listeners to engage on a deeper level. The opening track, “Final Judgement”, kicks things off with an unrelenting punch, but within the chaos lies a disciplined control, the kind that only seasoned musicians can wield without seeming overly produced. The pacing is fierce but intricate, switching between hardcore-inspired breakdowns and sections that feel almost orchestral in their darkness.
As much as You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To sticks to metalcore conventions, it doesn’t let itself become a stereotype of the genre. Lead vocalist Bryan Garris’s screams are, as always, unapologetically brutal, but the lyrical themes lean towards the introspective, with topics exploring loss, resilience, and the reality of fate. Garris, it seems, isn’t content with simply screaming into the void—he’s letting listeners hear his story, one fractured scream at a time.
A Bolder Sound and Darker Themes
From the title alone, it’s clear this album wasn’t created for the faint-hearted. Unlike previous albums that hinted at vulnerability through a heavy metalcore lens, this one is completely submerged in it. In “Bound and Broken,” Garris’s voice verges on desperation, as if he’s letting listeners in on secrets he never intended to share. The instrumentals mirror this, with crushing breakdowns that hit the ears like sledgehammers. Yet, in the midst of all that chaos, melodic riffs peek through, a welcome reprieve that keeps the album from feeling entirely oppressive.
The band enlisted the production talents of deathcore veteran Will Putney, known for capturing raw intensity without sacrificing clarity. Putney’s influence shines in every aspect of this album, from the chilling guitar distortions to the atmospheric layering that lets the vocals soar above the instrumentals without sounding hollow. Whether by design or serendipity, the album feels cohesive, yet each track can stand alone, a rarity in metalcore that showcases the band’s ability to tell a story without relying on the gimmicks that saturate some corners of the genre.
Fan Reception and Chart Success
You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To has not only dominated charts but taken over metal forums and social media platforms, where fans analyze every track with near-academic zeal. For a genre that often goes overlooked by mainstream critics, Knocked Loose is defying convention with an album that appeals to die-hard fans and critics alike. The album hit number one on multiple metal charts within days of its release, surpassing expectations and earning rave reviews from seasoned metal journalists.
One of the reasons for this fervor is the band’s unique way of staying connected with their audience. Unlike many metalcore bands who rely solely on the music to communicate with fans, Knocked Loose has fostered an interactive fan culture. This album release was marked by surprise drops of cryptic hints on social media, sparking endless speculation and keeping fans engaged long before the official release date. By the time You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To finally hit streaming platforms, the buildup was nothing short of cinematic.
Lyrical Themes: Navigating Life’s Harsh Realities
Lyrically, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To marks a shift from the angst-driven verses of their previous albums to something profoundly introspective. Instead of the general defiance seen in their past work, this album deals with more somber reflections on mortality, purpose, and inner demons. The song “Eternal Sentence” wrestles with the idea of self-doubt in a way that feels authentic and relatable. “I’m chained to my fate, but I hold the key,” Garris screams—a line that resonates as both self-assurance and self-condemnation.
It’s hard not to draw comparisons between Garris’s lyrics and the poetry of tortured artists, where every word seems to bleed with meaning. The dark, almost literary quality of the lyrics has led some fans to joke that Garris is the next Edgar Allan Poe of metalcore, as morbidly poetic as he is intense.
Innovative Instrumentation: When Metalcore Meets the Avant-Garde
Instrumentally, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To isn’t afraid to stretch metalcore boundaries. “Vortex of Silence” introduces listeners to unnervingly sparse guitar lines that build into colossal walls of sound, showcasing guitarist Isaac Hale’s ability to craft riffs that are as haunting as they are heavy.
And while the album’s central style remains rooted in hardcore aggression, there are undeniable hints of other influences. Drummer Kevin Kaine brings a new, almost jazz-like finesse to certain sections, with percussion that alternates between relentless pounding and measured restraint, ensuring that each beat lands with calculated impact. It’s an interesting move that some fans have dubbed “post-metalcore,” reflecting the album’s evolution beyond genre confines.
A Closer Look at Standout Tracks
Among the album’s standout tracks, “Lost at Sea” is perhaps the most daring. Here, Knocked Loose slows things down without losing intensity, an impressive feat considering their penchant for speed. This track combines whispered vocals with echoing guitar riffs, creating an atmosphere that feels eerily contemplative. It’s followed by “Burial Ground,” a sonic assault that reverts back to the band’s hardcore roots, reminding listeners that they haven’t strayed too far from their foundation. These two tracks together create a juxtaposition that keeps listeners on their toes, never quite letting them settle into a predictable groove.
Final Thoughts: A Metalcore Masterpiece?
With You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, Knocked Loose has, without a doubt, solidified their place in the modern metalcore pantheon. The album takes risks that many metalcore bands wouldn’t dare to explore, blending classic hardcore aggression with an introspective, almost spiritual journey. For listeners new to the genre, this album is a masterclass in modern metalcore, while long-time fans will find it a refreshing reminder that the genre is still very much alive and evolving.
If you’re still convinced that metalcore is all noise with little substance, let this album be your initiation. You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To doesn’t just make a mark—it shatters expectations and leaves a resounding impact.
