Scheduled for release on February 20, 2026, this concept album fuses dark horror, manic riffs, and existential lyrical dread into work that my gig for a local music magazine has given me an opportunity to listen to.
Normally, I like my metal on the pop side, with lyrics clearly audible, but with this genre, I know the low grovels and rasp need careful listening to in order to follow the narrative. In what I can gather, it’s like watching a Astron–6 film; you are hammered with an intensity that makes the bloodbath fun. Had written lyrics been offered at the same time, I can say more about what’s going on. Instead, I have to reply on the provided information from the press release.
They have released their first single online: (you might want to turn down the volume on your speaker)
Between the acoustic intros to fuzz box driven instrumentals, what’s heard is certainly like hearing the distant thunder rumble and pulse to a rhythm that it can only produce. Also, I’m reminded of Phil Austin and Derek Hayes’s Skywhales, for some odd reason. While I can’t put my finger on why that is, the resonance exists, and while the album and animation are miles apart in tone, there’s just something apropro about it.
From the Press Release:
Drawing inspiration from classic Japanese monster films and the unknowable terrors of Lovecraftian mythology, the record explores the narrative of a colossal, nameless beast as it decimates a city. Rather than paying tribute to kaiju lore in name alone, Dissentience builds a world where riffs, lyrics, and production align to place the listener in the path of annihilation. The EP begins with “Obsidian Tomb”, a track that captures the initial moments of catastrophe. A somber acoustic intro builds tension before the monster is unleashed. The song moves through blast-laden choruses, thrash-driven verses, and groove-heavy interludes, all while painting a picture of destruction through the eyes of a terrified populace. The band intentionally avoids naming the monster or the city to keep the setting timeless and the fear universal.
“Chaos Absolute” takes a different narrative angle by focusing on the political and social collapse that follows the attack. Opening with a syncopated, high-tension riff and shifting into a massive, deceptively catchy groove, the track evokes the panic and futility of global leaders attempting to respond to an unstoppable force. The phrase “fall into chaos absolute” functions as both a summary of the storyline and a reflection of the listener’s experience as the music surges with desperation.
The title track “Kaiju” represents the climax of the EP, unleashing a relentless barrage of violence and devastation. The lyrics describe grotesque scenes of bloodshed and helplessness as the beast rips through the last remnants of resistance. The music mirrors the scale of the narrative, building to overwhelming levels of sonic brutality. The repeated line “Kaiju will bring forth a new age of rot” serves as the thesis for the entire record, framing the monster not only as a literal destroyer but as a symbol of humanity’s self-inflicted reckoning.
The final track “Death Shroud” transitions into the aftermath. With the monster gone, what remains is a landscape of ash, grief, and existential dread. Survivors are left to make sense of their trauma, questioning whether the world can rebuild or if it even should. The Kaiju, now retreated, is no less present. Its legacy hangs in the smoke, a constant reminder of how fragile everything truly was. “The Kaiju may lay dormant, but the anguish remains” is the emotional core of the track and perhaps of the entire release.
Kaiju was produced in collaboration with Corey Pierce, recorded at Peach Pie Sound by Matt Menafro, mixed by Zeuss, and mastered by Alan Douches. The yet-to-be-revealed cover art is by Matt Stikker, known for his vivid and brutal visual storytelling. This release follows the band’s prior offerings Mask of Pretense (2018) and Empire Anatomy (2022), continuing their evolution as songwriters and sonic architects.
With Kaiju, Dissentience has crafted more than just a record. It is a fully realized conceptual journey that pushes their sound further into new territory. Every song contributes to a unified narrative of destruction, dread, and reflection. It is a rare example of a metal record that is both musically blistering and thematically rich. Where others nod to monsters, this band gives them voice, weight, and consequence.
About Dissentience:
The lineup features Connor Valentin on guitar and vocals, James Vitale on guitar, Sean Langer on bass, and Nick Scherden on drums. Known for their intense live performances and refusal to be confined to a single subgenre, the band continuously pushes their sound in new directions. Their music balances chaos and melody while exploring dark themes through a modern lens. Their mission is to make metal that is uncompromising, inventive, and unapologetically intense.