REVIEW: Jesus on Extasy - Between Despair and Disbelief

When a band re-emerges after a long silence, expectations can be tricky to manage. For fans of JESUS ON EXTASY, the German industrial rock outfit formed in 2005, the announcement of Between Despair and Disbelief marked more than just another release - it was a statement of intent. Following a hiatus in 2014 and only sporadic activity since their 2020 return, this record is the band’s first full-length release in over a decade, and while it isn’t flawless, it is unapologetically theirs - dark, defiant, and steeped in the industrial-glam fusion that first made them a cult name.

From the outset, JESUS ON EXTASY leans hard into their trademark contrasts, combining eerie synth layers and a theatricality that might, at times, feel out of step with today’s hyper-polished production. This release isn’t slick industrial rock for mainstream playlists. Instead, it’s raw and sometimes jagged, like rediscovering a demo tape that never sanded down its edges but still carries an undeniably gripping sound. That sense of imperfection may divide listeners, but it’s also what gives Between Despair and Disbelief its unique character. There’s a strong nostalgic pull here: the record echoes the late 2000s/early 2010s industrial wave that JESUS ON EXTASY once helped define, recalling a time when their tracks Assassinate Me and Neochrome marked them out as rising stars.

Something Far Away, the album’s sixth track, distinctly taps into that spirit, layering pulsing beats beneath distorted guitars in a way that feels both familiar and reinvigorated. It solidifies the album’s message that this is a reaffirmation rather than a reinvention, and that JESUS ON EXTASY are here to remind listeners why they carved out their niche in the first place. A Hard Goodbye is another standout moment, forming the emotional centerpiece of the album. It’s a slow-burner that begins quietly and tentatively before spiraling into chaos, only to collapse back into silence as it fades out. It painfully captures heartbreak not as a clean wound but as a storm of grief, anger, and longing, putting into words a feeling that is all too familiar to many.

The title track, Between Despair and Disbelief, is also a highlight. At just over a minute long, it strips away vocals and theatrics for a haunting instrumental interlude. Its brevity only strengthens its impact, giving you the feeling of stumbling upon something you maybe shouldn’t have found. Small touches like this show JESUS ON EXTASY know when to pull back, letting the mood they’ve set speak louder than the volume of the track. The closing track, Will It Ever Stop, leaves a lasting impression. Its electronic pulses weave over the vocals with an almost retro-futuristic shimmer, adding a strange sense of hope to an otherwise brooding record. It’s a fitting finale, looking back to the band’s origins while simultaneously glancing towards something new.

Restraint is a key part of this entire album. Where many modern industrial acts chase maximalism, JESUS ON EXTASY resists that urge. Their arrangements aren’t flashy or overstuffed, with distorted riffs and electronic textures adding depth without becoming overwhelming. The result is heavy and atmospheric, without tipping too deep into chaos. That said, this record won’t win over everyone. The theatrical flourishes sometimes outpace the execution, and some may wish for tighter production closer to genre heavyweights like NINE INCH NAILS. Imperfection has, arguably, always been part of JESUS ON EXTASY’s sound though, and two decades after their inception they still thrive just left of centre, sounding defiantly underground in a scene that has grown increasingly slicker and more crowded.

Between Despair and Disbelief carries the aura of music that’s discovered in the wild corners of the internet rather than being served up by modern algorithms. It’s rough around the edges, yet nostalgic and strangely comforting in its brutal honesty. More than anything, it sounds like a band reconnecting with its own DNA. It won’t convert sceptics and may not dominate 2025’s sonic landscape, but for those tuned into its frequency, this is a welcome resurrection.

Score: 6/10

Between Despair and Disbelief was released on September 12th 2025, via Metropolis Records.

Words: Zuzanna Pazola

Photos: Jesus on Extasy