Hailing from Philadelphia and surrounding areas, Varials burst onto the scene in 2017 with their debut album Pain Again, which was swiftly followed by In Darkness in 2019. Again, there was a short break before Scars for You to Remember in, and now the band are back with album number 4.
Having toured alongside the likes of Knocked Loose, Wage War and Kublai Khan TX, the Hardcore band is ready to obliterate everything in the way of their total destruction, and that includes you and me.
I feel it’s my responsibility to forewarn the listener – this goes hard and does not let up. The Hardcore brilliance is underpinned by a thick, low-bass groove that drives the music along, with metallic drums and crushing riffs that explode down your ear canals.
The vocal is one of pure spite and anger, which, when all aspects combine, is something that is as aggressive as it is brilliant. You can feel the breeze as the windmilling flies passed your head, ducking and trying not to get caught on the temple, but the onslaught is relentless and heavy – just accept you’re not coming out of this unscathed.
The raw, unparalleled brutality is something that some bands try, and it comes across as forced – this feels naturally fuelled by something deep and dark – the releasing of which encapsulates everything within earshot and, like Thanos clicking his fingers, just turns everything to dust.
The 13 tracks are some of the heaviest and hardest songs that you will hear – not just this year, but full stop. The breakdowns are something else, and this will push the band even further to the front of the scene.
Where the Light Leaves pushes the boundaries of what is possible and is basically going to feel like you have sandpaper being dragged across your eyeballs for the entirety of the experience – but you can’t help but press play over and over again.
If you are into your heavy with a huge slap of aggression, then this is the album for you. Board up your windows, put away breakables and strap yourself in – this shit is the real deal. Varials are the now and future, the band that others will want to be seen on stage with and the band that people will be seeing in their droves.
Where the Light Leaves will be released on Friday, 27th February 2026, via Fearless Records.
Review: Ed Ford
WHERE THE LIGHT LEAVES TRACK LISTING:
“Where The Light Leaves”
“No Lie Untouched”
“Illusions of Loss”
“Conscious Collapse”
“Your Soul Feeds”
“The Hurt Chamber”
“[wouldyoufollowme]”
“Silent Demise”
“Blissful End”
“Romance II”
“Metanoia”
“I’ll Find the Dark”
“[intothequiet]”Online
