REVIEW: Final Gasp - New Day Symptoms

FINAL GASP, a Boston based hardcore/death-rock band with post-punk influences are bringing the heat with their brand new album titled New Day Symptoms following their upcoming tour, starting 26th of February. Packed with ten head-banging tracks to get stuck into, and if you’re craving some guttural, edgy riffs that echo through your soul and powerful, rich vocals then this is for you. Their influences for their debut album Mourning Moon consisted of SAMHAIN and KILLING JOKE, with this new album, they want to keep the energy from them but broaden the scope and explore something completely different.

Opening with an instrumental track titled Eternal Silence, this sets the theme of the album perfectly by using deep tones and high-pitched chirps in short intervals, creating suspense - until your ears are filled with punchy drum beats and visceral guitar tones. This aligns with the name, giving the listener a sense of Eternal Silence before stripping it away. What stands out in the chaos though, is that PETER MICANOVIC - one of the band's guitarists uses a small riff in between the drums to break up the tension, giving the instrumental more depth.

Next up, Look Away comes in with clean drums and a yell, before you hear the aggressive chugging of the guitar leading into the rich vocals by JAKE MURPHY, with a beautifully composed riff layered on top. All of these elements work together seamlessly throughout the track, making it an immersive experience for the listener as you hear every beat from the drums, twang from the guitar and grit from the vocals. The Apparition, released before the album, starts with a more guitar-heavy intro. The drums being introduced in abrupt hits before gradually becoming quicker like a heartbeat would in panic, bringing a sense of unease as haunting vocals come in, especially near the end as the distorted buzzing of the guitar rings out and the drums become slower. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNmbSV9dHvk

Gifted Shame is a track filled with intensity and unfiltered screams, starting off quiet before exploding into a mix of thunderous guitars and powerful drums with intent in every hit, the vocals becoming more prominent in volume. This is something that repeats a few times within the track, and it feels like a sudden burst of rage - despite the band saying they “wanted to minimise emotion.” This is followed by No Hand To Lead, clearly influenced by (Don’t Fear) The Reaper by BLUE OYSTER CULT as it starts with a slow, distorted riff but still shares the same essence of groove, making it their own with electrifying vocals. In this track, the drums feel more present and dramatic than the previous, overpowering the rest at certain parts. KEVIN ORDWAY really knows how to bring the spotlight to the drums. 

Prediction, the sixth song in the album starts off with fast-paced hits of a drum, showing the punk influences with how chaotic the drums sound but it is accompanied with over-amplified guitar tones and mesmerising vocals as you can hear JAKE MURPHY’S voice being layered together to create a choir of different pitches, bringing the track to life. Burials Of Birth enters with a single bang of a drum, grungy guitar tones and a clear yell that overpowers the instruments, creating an angelic atmosphere. The rest of the track is perfectly balanced, between the vocal fry and the long overdriven guitar notes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge_yTA_y6bE

Fractures takes a different approach from the previous tracks, as a wave of synth and the periodical beat of a drum can be heard, lasting for one minute and four seconds. There are no lyrics but it sets the tone for the title-track New Day Symptoms, bringing a hardcore atmosphere with feral beast-like vocals now and again, mixed with gnarly guitar tones and sharp drums. Finally, the album ends with a track titled Pale Sun, a mellow start as you hear a slow guitar riff, soul-stirring vocals ringing out over the top. This leads up to crunchy guitars and shrill drum tones, changing the vibe completely but enough to keep the listener engaged.

Overall, New Day Symptoms is a flawless second album. It brings disorder and leaves the listener astonished. “If you like punk, you’re going to be into FINAL GASP. If you like hardcore, you’re going to like FINAL GASP. If you like metal you're going to like FINAL GASP. If you like goth, you're gonna like FINAL GASP.” We definitely couldn’t agree more with that as it brings a new definition to all of those genres, mixing them into one, creating a lasting experience for everyone.

Score: 9/10

New Day Symptoms will be released on 27th February 2026 via Relapse Records.

Words: Jynx Cosgrove

Photos: Caleb Gowett