Review: “As I Wait For Death” by Behind Bars

Celebrating a decade of destruction in 2025, Belgian Groove, Thrash and Hardcore lovers Behind Bars have offered up five fresh cuts to incite mosh pit violence with in “As I Wait For Death“. The record is the follow up to 2023’s well received album “All in Due Time“, one which continued perpetual forward motion for guitarist Steven Vandermosten, bassist Andy Philips, drummer Bjorn Van Olmen and vocalist Ian Huyskens in a career which has seen them play both national and international stages. A performance at Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany is arguably the biggest highlight of those ten years however shows with Hatebreed, ProPain and Madball have been equally important.

The fist of defiance is clenched in the land of hypocrisy as the sentiments of “P.A.I.N.” resonate, classic hardcore themes coursing through their veins. Bjorn Van Olmen produces a pummelling kit performance as Huyskens stands his ground, a couple of death growls adding bite to the bark of his usual style. There is a familiarity to everything that Behind Bars do which gives them instant appeal and listenability, their tight rhythms and abrasive guitars a call to the mosh pit that you will struggle to decline. Title track “As I Wait For Death” has some classic 80’s style bay area Thrash riffs and a short but sickly sweet solo to add a spice that’s nice, the gang chant moments adding depth and texture to a tune that can only be described as a mighty fun time. Huyskens talks about putting the metaphorical hand break on a rapid descent in “Spiral“, the band bringing the noise with some crushing sounds to match the weight of the lyrical narrative. Blast beats rear their ugly head as the four piece flirt with a few Death Metal elements to give this one a real punch and it works like a charm. A headbangers ball “Where Truth Lies” warns of the propaganda in the news as it plays out on our screens against a backdrop of thunderous percussive battery and groove laden guitars, lines like “There’s always two sides to a lie” resonating because if you know, you know. “Anthem” ushers in the staccato riff breaks to give it a real stomp, the gruff vocals from Huyskens chemically enhanced by moments of reverb to give them more edge, his cries of “it’s now or never!” ones that you can’t help but scream-a-long with.  Behind Bars aren’t reinventing the wheel here but then they don’t need to because what they do is so well done. If you love bands like Lionheart or Hatebreed then you’re going to love this [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. P.A.I.N.
2. As I Wait For Death
3. Spiral
4. Where Truth Lies
5. Anthem

“As I Wait For Death” by Behind Bars is out digitally on 12th September 2025 and physically on 12th December 2025. You can find it over at bandcamp