Release Date: March 29, 2024 Genre: Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Heavy Metal Label: Rise Records
Sum 41, the Canadian punk rock powerhouse, made up of vocalist and guitarist Deryck Whibley, guitarists Dave Baksh, and Tom Thacker, bassist Jason McCaslin, and drummer Frank Zummo- has never been one to shy away from pushing boundaries and defying expectations. With their eighth and final album, Heaven :x: Hell, due out March 29, 2024, via Rise Records, they deliver a double album that is both a nod to their roots and a bold step forward into uncharted territory. Split into two distinct halves, "Heaven" and "Hell," the album showcases the band's versatility and creativity like never before.
The "Heaven" side of the album kicks things off with the high-energy "Waiting On A Twist Of Fate." The fast-paced pop-punk number harkens back to the earliest days of the band’s pop-punk roots. Literally being taken from a demo tape Deryck found of unreleased songs from 1997, which the main riff comes from. This track is a perfect blend of classic Sum 41 pop punk with a modern twist, setting the tone for what's to come. Tracks like "Landmines," "I Can’t Wait," and "Time Won’t Wait" continue to deliver infectious hooks and powerful vocals that will have listeners singing along in no time.
As the album progresses, songs like "Future Primitive" and "Dopamine" showcase the band's punk roots with blistering guitar solos and driving rhythms. "Not Quite Myself" takes a more introspective turn, exploring themes of depression and anxiety with a melodic pop-punk sound that is both relatable and heartfelt.
The "Hell" side of the album is where Sum 41 truly lets loose, diving headfirst into heavy metal territory. The intro piece, "Preparasi A Salire," sets the stage for the onslaught of heavy riffs and pounding drums that follow. Tracks like "Rise Up," "Stranger In These Times," and "I Don’t Need Anyone" deliver a relentless barrage of metal goodness that is sure to satisfy even the most die-hard metal fans. The riffy number, "I Don't Need Anymore," features an assortment of heavy guitar riffs and another bass solo from McCaslin. The song's breakdown is unique, introducing electronic drums and bass before Baksh and Thacker deliver one of the album's best guitar solos that is sure to melt some faces in an arena on their upcoming final tour. "I Don't Need Anyone" is the only track on the album that was written with the intent the album was going to be the band's last.
Songs like "Over The Edge" and "House Of Liars" keep the energy high with thrashy guitars and hardcore-style screams. The band even throws in a cover of the Rolling Stones classic "Paint It Black," putting their own spin on the iconic track.
The album closes with "How The End Begins," a fittingly introspective track that reflects on the band's journey over the last twenty-seven years and leaves listeners with a sense of closure. "How The End Begins" was a song never meant to be the album's closing track. It all stems back to writing the song's opening line, "Are all of my best years behind me?" when Deryck was able to pen the rest. Overall, Heaven :x: Hell is a monumental achievement for Sum 41. It showcases the band's evolution over the years, blending every genre Sum 41 has dabbled with into one masterpiece. While most importantly staying true to their roots. It's the band's magnum opus, the perfect version of themselves, and an album Deryck has been trying to make since the inception of Sum 41. It's one of their best albums and the band would like to go out on top. Additionally, it's a testament to their talent and creativity, and a fitting swan song for a band that has left an indelible mark on the music world.
Sum 41 will be hitting the road later this month with their final tour of the United States before skipping over to the United Kingdom and Europe. They have a few festival dates in North America planned as well in the late Summer. Then Sum 41 will close things up on their career together with a final Canadian leg in January 2025. You can check for tour dates and tickets here.
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