Sometimes a band has plenty of heavy riffs but struggles to figure out what to do with them. London's Negative Frame have been developing their metallic hardcore sound since forming in 2017, drawing from UK hardcore, metalcore, and beatdown. After years of independent releases and touring, the band finally deliver their debut full-length, Break The Ice, released on August 7, 2026. Produced by John Mitchell at Outhouse Studios, the album features 11 tracks built around aggressive vocals, heavy guitars, and hard-hitting drums. There are some genuinely strong riffs and moments of crushing heaviness here, but the biggest issue is how the songs are put together. The transitions often feel awkward, different musical ideas seem to compete rather than complement each other, and the overall direction can be difficult to follow. I found myself enjoying individual moments while repeatedly wondering where the band were actually trying to take the music.

“Samsara” opens with an atmospheric build-up featuring sounds reminiscent of smoke or burning, accompanied by drum rolls and tribal-style percussion. It's an interesting introduction that creates a sense of anticipation, although it doesn't offer much indication of what the full album will sound like.

“Nine Circles” introduces tighter drumming and guitar riffs that gradually develop into sharper, thrashier territory. The snare has a satisfying snap, and the bass provides plenty of low-end weight. Stylistically, the track seems to move between thrash, hardcore, hard rock, and metal without settling comfortably into any one direction. The vocals consist mostly of low growls rather than clear lyrical delivery, making the song feel more like another extended introduction than a fully developed track. Some melodic guitar work and a solo toward the end show promise, but the different elements never quite come together. It feels like several ideas have been stitched together without a clear plan, leaving me more confused than impressed.

“New Lows” finally gives us a more straightforward metallic hardcore approach. The sharp, deep riffs and heavy drums establish a stronger foundation, while the vocals bring a harsh, aggressive delivery. The bass has plenty of weight, and the snare and drum rolls add some welcome movement. There are even occasional clean vocals in the background. Unfortunately, the song continues to jump between generic metallic hardcore, melodic riffs, and more experimental sections without developing a particularly natural flow. A slower passage builds into fast rolls, blast beats, and metal-inspired harmonics, but the transition feels awkward. The melodic guitar work and tough-guy vocal delivery also clash at times rather than creating an effective contrast. For a song that already feels directionless, its lengthy runtime doesn't help.

“Sorrow & Solitude” starts with deep, heavy riffs and some satisfying drum rolls. The vocals and guitars still occasionally feel like they're coming from two different songs, although the band do introduce softer melodic singing that better matches the instrumental direction. There are some quieter guitar and drum passages that work reasonably well, but the harsh screams don't always fit comfortably over them. Thankfully, a chunky, bouncing section toward the middle brings everything together, with thick bass and groovy chugs delivering the kind of heaviness I've been waiting for. The softer, distorted vocals also add some interesting texture. This track feels more focused overall, and its shorter structure makes it easier to appreciate.

“Cut Throat” returns with fast, tight drumming and riffs that occasionally lean toward death metal before dropping into slower, chugging sections. The instrumentation sounds powerful, and the vocals are supported by some big backing shouts. However, the band's unusual song structures continue to be a problem. Individual sections can sound good on their own, but the way they're connected often feels disjointed. Instead of building momentum, the song jumps between ideas without giving the listener much of a reason to follow along. There are plenty of heavy moments, but too many feel aimless.

“Cold Nights” offers tighter, faster drumming and riffs that create a more consistent groove. The song feels a little more structured, although the vocals still seem to arrive at unexpected moments, interrupting the flow rather than strengthening it. The guitar work is sharp and heavy, and a thrashy solo adds some extra character. There's definitely something here, but the arrangement still feels like it's searching for a direction.

“Pay To Play” brings in deep riffs with an almost hard-rock and thrash influence. The drums gradually build alongside the buzzing bass before the harsh vocals arrive. Once again, the track feels like it takes an unusually long time to get started, almost as though we're being given an introduction to the introduction. The heavier sections have some punch, and the thrashy guitar solo toward the end is pretty enjoyable, but the mixture of hard rock and hardcore influences remains distracting. I'm never quite sure which side of the band's sound I'm supposed to focus on.

“Rat Trap” is one of the more effective tracks, opening with a gradual build before unleashing big riffs, heavy drums, and a chunky breakdown. The vocals come in with more urgency, and the band sound noticeably more focused. The drums are punchy, the breakdown has plenty of weight, and slowing things down makes the heavy sections hit harder. It's a straightforward approach, but that simplicity works in the band's favor.

“Heaven's Blue” changes direction with slow acoustic guitars and some interesting percussive strumming. The track creates a softer atmosphere, and the rougher vocal delivery actually fits much better in this setting. There's a raw, almost ballad-like quality to the performance that gives the song a different personality. It's a welcome change from the constant shifts between heavy styles.

“Part Of Me” returns to simple, tight drums, strong guitar riffs, and more groovy metalcore sections. The vocals are reasonably solid, and the breakdown delivers some expected weight, but the song once again struggles to establish a consistent identity. The riffs become more rhythmic toward the end, although not enough to make the track particularly memorable.

Finally, “Another Way” introduces tighter metal riffs and faster passages reminiscent of mid-2000s metalcore, bringing Killswitch Engage to mind. The backing vocals are big and bold, and the drums and guitars deliver some decent energy. However, the riffs never become particularly compelling, and the dense breakdown feels more functional than memorable. There are a few groovy moments toward the end, but the song doesn't do enough to change my overall impression.

Overall, Break The Ice is a frustrating debut because the individual ingredients are often there, but the songwriting doesn't consistently bring them together. Negative Frame can deliver heavy riffs, punchy drums, and aggressive vocals, but too many tracks feel like collections of disconnected ideas rather than complete songs. The production gives the instruments plenty of weight, and there are worthwhile moments in tracks like “Sorrow & Solitude” and “Rat Trap.” Unfortunately, the inconsistent pacing, awkward transitions, and uncertain stylistic direction make the album difficult to fully enjoy. There's potential here, but the band need to spend more time developing their arrangements and finding a sound that feels cohesive. For now, Break The Ice has plenty of heaviness, but not enough direction to make that heaviness consistently satisfying.