Review: “Gloom” by Dead Retinas

Don’t call it a come back… but the first new music in six years has arrived from Manchester Hardcore Punks Dead Retinas. They first appeared on the scene in 2011, dropping a pair of EPs in 2017’s “Coup De Grâce” and 2018 follow up “Divine” which saw them creating a sound which has drawn comparisons to both 80’s Hardcore Punk and contemporary Post-Hardcore. Those records opened the doors for the quartet to play a collection of high octane live shows alongside the likes of Gutlocker, Employed To Serve and Black Coast but vocalist CJ Smith, guitarist Jack Thompson, bassist Chris Gaduzo and drummer Chris Heath are far from done. Produced by Joe Clayton (Desert Storm, Pupil Slicer, Conjurer) at Nø Studio in Nottingham and mastered by Brad Boatright (Obituary, Nails, High on Fire) at Audiosiege Mastering in Portland, Oregon their new record is called “Gloom“.

A collection of riffs from six string master Jack Thompson that feel like a wonderful nostalgic throwback to “Hot Damn!” era Every Time I Die help make opening cut “F.A.O. (Collarbreaker)” an infinitely listenable Hardcore Punk tune, the depth of sentiment in the lyrical narrative pitched perfectly so that the listener can make it their own or seek a magnifying glass and the lyric sheet should they do desire. A potent mix of powerful rhythms and harsh vocals, it’s one that you can see the band squeezing another five or ten percent more energy out of live, especially if they’re fired up.

The haunting melancholia introduces “Sleeping Giants“, a track about feeling detached from reality that has a real grit and integrity in the vocals, the rise and fall of the sonic abrasions mirroring a sense of despair that runs through its veins. A soul stirring tune that has an undercurrent of anguish, it will resonate with anyone who has suffered from anxiety or depression, the early 2000’s vibes rising to the surface as it plays out.

A bleak lyrical narrative including the wonderful line “Salt the Earth spitefully!” makes “Blink” a powerful moment laced with “Hail Destroyer” era Cancer Bats style riffs as it rumbles on remorselessly. Another fearfully addictive tune that will give you something to think about once the head banging is over, it’s like they’ve replaced the tie with a noose. One of the many glorious things about this record is there is absolutely nothing to place it in Manchester England. The old school riffs and vocal delivery would place then on the other side of the Atlantic ocean. Gang chants add depth and texture to the melancholic Post-Hardcore inspired undertones of “Cantilever“, the brutal roar of “Burn!” making for an almost “Bleigh!” like moment before the track descends into an almost jazz inspired ambient finale.

Returning to the blistering riffs “Discourse Of Fools” slaps hard before a melodic drop off in the final third, the intensity rising to a powerful crescendo. Once again the riffs bring you to the yard, the catchy lyrics and pounding percussion keeping you there until the bitter end, offering food for thought and calling for microphone grabs at live shows. It may have been some time coming but “Gloom” has been worth every second of the wait [8/10]

Track Listing

1. F.A.O. (Collarbreaker)
2. Sleeping Giants
3. Blink
4. Cantilever
5. Discourse Of Fools

“Gloom” by Dead Retinas is out 15th August 2026 and might be available over at bandcamp