Dead Cassette Impress Metalcore Fans With Debut LP ‘Revive’
Ohio metalcore outfit Dead Cassette released their debut record Revive on April 22, 2022, proving that Ohio is not just for lovers, but also the breeding ground for the next generation of heavy music acts. At it’s core, this 11 track, 34 minute album perfectly emulates the modern metalcore formula set forth by acts as Wage War, Of Mice & Men, and Fit For A King, while retaining a unique sonic flair to separate Dead Cassette from the pack.
Composed of Justin Karallus on vocals, Corbin Wandling on guitar/vocals, Arthur Lawrence on guitar, Joe Hoover on bass, and Kollin Manuel on drums, Dead Cassette formed in 2019 to release their cover of blackbear’s “Hot Girl Bummer”, which was well-received, garnering more than 35,000 streams on Spotify alone. It wasn’t until a few years later that the band dropped “Revive”, the lead single from what would become the debut record. “Revive” featured a significant upgrade in production quality, providing the impressive sonic backdrop to showcase this bands raw instrumental prowess.
Dead Cassette may be a relatively new project to the scene, but their internal love of music and family seeps through this release like a band that’s been together for decades. “This record is very dear to us all; it's our first and will always have a special place in our hearts because of that.” Wandling continues, “At this point, we see each other more than we see our own families. If one of us is going through something, the others are always there for them. We have each other's backs no matter what, no questions asked. Creating music together with such a close knitted group of guys is beautiful.”
Revive is an incredibly driving record, constantly pushing the tempo with its pummelling percussion and chugging riffs, but beneath the surface it’s a record full of complex subject matter and themes. “We wrote about a lot of different topics,” says Wandling. “Searching for purpose, overcoming adversity, betrayal, anxiety, moving on from pain, substance abuse, and so much more. Overall however, the album is primarily positive.” While the majority of the album searches for the positive light within the darkness, Dead Cassette tugs at the heart strings with the closing track and latest single, “Forever Kind Of Love”. With an emotionally draining music video featured below, Dead Cassette detail the struggles of heartbreak and the trials that go along with it, emphasized in the lyrics “Empty bottles on the tables around / So many people but I don't hear a sound / Broken hearts bleeding through their stitches / Moving on like no one's business”.
Dead Cassette have a Scene Daddy certified hit on their hands with Revive. It’s equally heavy and catchy, as well as complex and simple, exactly when it needs to be. If you’re a fan of recent release from Architects, Memphis May Fire, or Motionless In White, then Revive is an easy recommend. Be sure to watch the official music video for “Forever Kind Of Love” below and follow Dead Cassette on all social platforms as they’ve assured us there’s much more to follow soon.