REVIEW: Blind Equation - A Funeral in Purgatory

Blind Equation returns with a vengeance on their third full-length album, A Funeral in Purgatory. Following their 2023 release Death Awaits, the project helmed by songwriter and vocalist James McHenry steps confidently into new sonic territory, delivering what McHenry himself describes as “the heaviest and most brutal Blind Equation album to date, while simultaneously being the most soft and heartfelt.” It's a bold claim, but one the record thoroughly lives up to

The album is a culmination of both musical evolution and practical growth, having spent more time touring since their last release, Blind Equation brings a sharpened sense of what hits hardest in a live setting. This awareness informs every track on A Funeral in Purgatory, resulting in a meticulously crafted, emotionally charged record that merges fury with vulnerability.

The opening track, 'This Eternal Curse', sets the tone with an explosive mix of ethereal synths, pounding drums, and guttural vocals that build into a trance-laced breakdown, an exhilarating taste of the genre-defying energy that permeates the entire album. Released ahead of the full LP, lead single 'Nothing' dropped on May 22 and gave fans a preview of what was to come, the track is a chaotic yet cohesive blend of breakcore drums, glitchy synths, and McHenry’s unmistakable vocal delivery.

Collaboration is another standout theme, On 'It Feels Like The End', JOHNNASCUS joins forces with Blind Equation to deliver a masterclass in electronic brutality, This track finds a sweet spot between cyber-grind aggression and emotional nuance, proving that genre fusion doesn’t have to sacrifice cohesion.

Meanwhile, 'Flashback', a collaboration with MySpace-era trancecore artist Strawberry Hospital, offers one of the album’s most immersive moments, its atmospheric synths and breakcore beats spiralling into chaos as Strawberry Hospital’s dreamy backing vocals perfectly complement McHenry’s anguished screams.

The album closes with 'Incomplete', a cathartic, beautifully layered track that transitions from mournful melodies into a synth-and-riff frenzy. It’s a fitting end to an emotional rollercoaster - offering a sense of finality that still feels unresolved, in the best possible way.

This is an album that demands attention, one that drips with emotional depth while pummelling you with relentless soundscapes. Brutal, heartfelt, and wholly unforgettable, this might just be Blind Equation’s one-way ticket through the glass ceiling.

Score: 8/10

A Funeral in Purgatory was released on July 18th 2025.

Words: Sage James

Photos: Blind Equation