Caliban – Back From Hell
Century Media Records
7,0/10,0
Brief:
For over two decades, CALIBAN has stood as one of the defining forces in Metalcore. With their upcoming album “Back From Hell”, the German band continues to evolve their sound while staying true to the intensity and emotion that have defined their career. Led by founding members Andreas Dörner (vocals) and Marc Görtz (guitar), the band’s current lineup includes new vocalist and bassist Iain Duncan, whose clean vocals, songwriting skills and diverse perspective and experience bring a fresh dimension to their already powerful dynamic. Complemented by longtime drummer Patrick Grün and guitarist Denis Schmidt, CALIBAN’s formidable lineup is poised to deliver a relentless and emotionally charged experience that reaffirms their status as Metalcore pioneers.
Following the success of their recent singles—”I Was a Happy Kid Once”, “Echoes”, and “Guilt Trip featuring Mental Cruelty”— “Back From Hell” explores themes of inner struggle, resilience, and catharsis, blending their signature crushing riffs and guttural vocals with atmospheric melodies and modern production.
The album is the result of a 2.5-year creative journey, during which the band painstakingly discovered and refined a fresh sonic direction while preserving the essence of their signature style. This process required an intense focus on experimentation and collaboration, resulting in a sound that is both groundbreaking and deeply personal.
Delving into themes of interpersonal conflict and emotional turmoil, “Back From Hell” seeks to articulate the journey of healing, coping, and rising from personal struggles. Addressing the mental noise, guilt from past conflicts, the scars of gaslighting, and the longing for closure, CALIBAN’s latest LP provides a deeply personal glimpse into the raw emotions and resilience at the core of their music.
With a revitalized creative team including producers David “Drave” Beule, labelmate, fellow musician and producer Buster Odeholm (Vildhjarta, Thrown, Humanity’s Last Breath), Matthias Tarnath (Nasty), and Nahuel Lozano (Mental Cruelty), alongside longtime collaborator and co-writer Benjamin Richter, CALIBAN has redefined their signature Metalcore sound. By blending the classic elements of their sonic identity with cutting-edge production techniques, the band has pushed the boundaries of their music to new heights, delivering a soundscape that is both innovative and unmistakably their own.
With additional guest vocals from the likes of Jonny McBee of The Browning, Joe “Bad” Badolato of Fit for an Autopsy, and Lukas Nicolai of Germany’s Mental Cruelty, “Back From Hell” takes its intensity to a whole new level. Each guest brings their own unique vocal ferocity, adding extra layers of heaviness and raw emotion that amplify the album’s unrelenting power and dark, visceral energy.
The finishing touches of the new album were entrusted to Olman V. Wiebe at Hertzwerk Studios in Hamburg, where his cutting-edge mastering techniques added a refined sonic experience. As a longtime expert in the craft of meticulous mastering, Wiebe ensured that every detail of the album’s sound was polished to perfection, delivering a listening experience that truly stands out.
With no signs of slowing down, CALIBAN’s legacy is far from over—it’s stronger than ever.
[Edited Press Release]
Tracklist:
- Resurgence
- Guilt Trip (feat. Mental Cruelty)
- I Was A Happy Kid Once
- Back From Hell (feat. The Browning)
- Insomnia
- Dear Suffering (feat. Fit For An Autopsy)
- Alte Seele
- Overdrive
- Infection
- Glass Cage
- Solace In Suffer
- Till Death Do Us Part
- Echoes
Main Focus Tracks:
- Guilt Trip (feat. Mental Cruelty)
- I Was A Happy Kid Once
- Echoes
Other Recommended Tracks:
- Back From Hell (feat. The Browning)
- Alte Seele
- Infection
Line-Up:
Marc Görtz – Guitars (lead)
Andreas Dörner – Vocals (lead), Vocals (clean)
Denis Schmidt – Guitars (rhythm), Vocals (clean)
Patrick Grün – Drums
Iain Duncan – Bass, Vocals
Comments:
Caliban presents Back From Hell, a selection of technical, powerful, and catchy tracks that stay faithful to the standards of the metalcore genre. Although it doesn’t revolutionize the genre, Back From Hell is still a very enjoyable album!
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Selected Discography:
A Small Boy and a Grey Heaven – 1999
Vent – 2001
Shadow Hearts – 2003
The Opposite from Within – 2004
The Undying Darkness – 2006
The Awakening – 2007
Say Hello to Tragedy – 2009
I Am Nemesis – 2012
Ghost Empire – 2014
Gravity – 2016
Elements – 2018
Dystopia – 2022
Back from Hell – 2025
Photo Credit: Moritz Hartmann