‘Antibloom’ sets the stage for what could be one of Silverstein’s most ambitious projects yet. If this is just the first half, fans have plenty to look forward to.

Words by Felix Bartlett | Feb 21, 2025

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For a band celebrating twenty-five years in the game, Silverstein refuses to rest on nostalgia. Instead, with ‘Antibloom’, the first instalment of a two-part release (to be followed by ‘Pink Moon’ later this year), they embrace both their post-hardcore roots and a desire to push boundaries. At just eight tracks and 25 minutes, ‘Antibloom’ is a compact, high-energy burst that never overstays its welcome, proving that sometimes, less is more.

Recorded in the remote deserts of Joshua Tree and produced by Sam Guaiana, Antibloom thrives on intensity, both in its sound and emotion. The scorching heat of the California desert seems to have seeped into the very fabric of the album, giving it an unfiltered, visceral edge. Gone is the glossy sheen of ‘A Beautiful Place to Drown’; instead, this record captures the rawness of ‘Misery Made Me’ while still exploring new territory.

The album kicks off with ‘Mercy Mercy,’ a relentless opener that wastes no time grabbing you by the throat. The track’s heavy breakdowns and panicked urgency mirror its lyrical themes of doomscrolling and digital anxiety. The skill in Shane Told’s voice transitions is on full display here as he seamlessly transitions from melodic vulnerability to full-throttle screams, reinforcing the emotional weight. Similarly, ‘Skin & Bones’ stands out as one of the band’s most harrowing songs to date, addressing the tragic murder of Told’s ex-girlfriend with unflinching honesty. The spoken-word passage within the track is chilling, and its chorus lingers long after the final note.

Not every experiment fully lands—’Don’t Let Me Get Too Low’ leans into familiar territory with lyrical themes that, while sincere, tread somewhat predictable ground. However, ‘Antibloom’ refuses to stagnate. ‘I Will Destroy This’ flirts with industrial-tinged textures, ‘Stress’ dips into nu-metal-inspired riffs, and closer ‘Cherry Coke’ strips things down to a skeletal, gut-wrenching ballad that ends the record on a haunting note.

What makes ‘Antibloom’ work so well is its brevity. By focusing on tight, refined songwriting, Silverstein avoids filler while ensuring every track leaves an impact. This isn’t a reinvention, but rather a reaffirmation of their strengths, infused with enough fresh ideas to keep things exciting. With ‘Pink Moon’ looming on the horizon, ‘Antibloom’ sets the stage for what could be one of the band’s most ambitious projects yet. If this is just the first half, fans have plenty to look forward to.

Verdict: 💀💀💀💀

For fans of: Chiodos, Underoath, Senses Fail

Antibloom is released on February 21 via UNFD