The Texas kings of heavy, ignorant hardcore are back, and they’re keeping the fire burning bright with a banger of an album that will leave you wanting more. All of the signature elements that make this band so irresistible are in full force—crunchy riffs, dissonant pitched guitar harmonics, deep bass, tight, booming drums, and bold, gritty vocals. From the moment the album kicks off, the band wastes no time coming out swinging with the opening track, “Supreme Ruler.” In less than a minute, they deliver everything you want from a Kubla Khan song—booming breakdowns and massive vocal singalongs that immediately set the tone for the rest of the record.
The majority of the album sticks to this formula of big, bold energy, from tracks like “Darwinism” and “Low Tech” to the high-octane finisher, “Antpile 2.” Seriously, when you can make a song with just the lyric “2” and get a crowd to go apeshit, you know you’ve mastered your craft. The songs on this record are tight, well-paced, and deliver all the heavy-hitting goodness fans have come to expect from the band. There’s a good mix of short, intense songs (some barely a minute long) and others that average around three minutes, which helps maintain a nice flow and keeps the energy up throughout.
Musically, the production on this album is on point, with solid mixing and layering that really lets each element shine. The drums hit hard, the guitars slice through the air with precision, and the bass provides that deep, rumbling foundation. The only minor critique comes from a couple of guest vocals that sound a bit too low in the mix, but that’s a small issue. Overall, the sound is powerful and dynamic. The guest and backing vocals add a much-needed variation to the vocal delivery, as main vocalist Matt brings a raw energy, though he doesn’t have as much variation in his style. The standout moment comes on “A Hopeless Fate,” where none other than Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed joins in and delivers a different energy that revitalizes the band's sound, offering a refreshing contrast to Matt’s intense delivery.
Speaking of variation, the band’s style is unmistakably their own, but there are times, particularly on tracks like “X” and “Mud,” when their sound can feel a bit repetitive and lack some of the spark that defines their best work. Even in these moments, the band still manages to keep things interesting by using their groove and bounce to build tension and lead up to some seriously nasty breakdowns that will have you slamming in the pit.
What stands out most on this album is the sheer power on display. The band knows how to bring the energy, and it’s clear they still have a lot of gas left in the tank. There’s no sign of slowing down anytime soon. The album shows that Kubla Khan is still at the top of their game, delivering everything fans love while pushing the boundaries of what hardcore can be. They’re not just maintaining the momentum; they’re building on it, ready to take things to the next level.