You might find yourself feeling a bit drained and yearning for something different or more innovative after listening to the latest Missing Link album. This New York-based heavy hardcore band delivers on sheer heaviness, no doubt. The riffs are crushing, the drums pummel with relentless intensity, and the overall sound will definitely make you want to thrash in the pit. But after a while, it becomes apparent that the album relies on a familiar formula, and you may find yourself hoping for a bit more variety.

The album features some great heavy moments—those big, gnarly riffs and driving rhythms—but they start to feel a little repetitive as the tracks pile up. Aside from two standout songs that stand out for their unique arrangements, interesting riffs, and more dynamic vocal styles, the rest of the album seems to fall into a predictable pattern of mosh-pit anthems that all begin to blend together. While these songs are certainly fun in the moment, they don’t offer much depth or variety once the initial impact wears off.

Performance-wise, there are a few notable hiccups that slightly detract from the experience. The unclean vocals, which are meant to be aggressive and raw, often lack power and can come off muffled or drowned out by the instrumentation. This doesn’t always mesh well with the music, making some of the heavier moments feel less intense than they should. On the flip side, the clean vocals and backing vocals are a lot more in sync with the music, providing a nice contrast and adding a bit more melody to the mix. In fact, the guest vocals on a few tracks actually end up sounding stronger and more impactful than the main vocals, which is a bit of a missed opportunity for the band.

If you're someone who craves sheer heaviness and doesn’t mind a bit of repetition, this album will hit the mark. It’s got the headbanging, pit-ready energy you’re looking for. However, if you're hoping for something more complex or innovative, you might find the Missing Link album lacking in that department. It’s heavy, but it may leave you wanting something beyond the usual hardcore tropes—a little more variation or experimentation could have made a world of difference in elevating the album beyond its familiar hardcore sound. As it stands, the album may fall short for listeners seeking more than just brute force and raw aggression.