Out today from Dissentience!

DISSENTIENCE, the progressive death-thrash unit from Bethlehem, PA, returns with their most conceptually ambitious and sonically punishing release to date: Kaiju. Scheduled for release on February 20, 2026, Kaiju is a four-track concept EP that fuses cinematic horror, crushing riffs, and lyrical dread into a singular apocalyptic vision. Drawing inspiration from classic Japanese monster films and the unknowable terrors of Lovecraftian mythology, the record explores the narrative of a colossal, nameless beast as it decimates a city. Rather than paying tribute to kaiju lore in name alone, DISSENTIENCE builds a world where riffs, lyrics, and production align to place the listener in the path of annihilation.

The EP begins with "Obsidian Tomb", a track that captures the initial moments of catastrophe. A somber acoustic intro builds tension before the monster is unleashed. The song moves through blast-laden choruses, thrash-driven verses, and groove-heavy interludes, all while painting a picture of destruction through the eyes of a terrified populace. The band intentionally avoids naming the monster or the city to keep the setting timeless and the fear universal. This choice also reinforces the Lovecraftian tone by allowing the horror to remain undefined, inviting each listener to project their own dread into the story.

"Chaos Absolute" takes a different narrative angle by focusing on the political and social collapse that follows the attack. Opening with a syncopated, high-tension riff and shifting into a massive, deceptively catchy groove, the track evokes the panic and futility of global leaders attempting to respond to an unstoppable force. Frantic guitar harmonies, dissonant progressions, and a brief clean bridge section give way to some of the heaviest material on the record. The phrase “fall into chaos absolute” functions as both a summary of the storyline and a reflection of the listener’s experience as the music surges with desperation.

The title track "Kaiju" represents the climax of the EP, unleashing a relentless barrage of violence and devastation. The lyrics describe grotesque scenes of bloodshed and helplessness as the beast rips through the last remnants of resistance. Riffs churn beneath guttural vocals, with every passage dripping with urgency and rage. The music mirrors the scale of the narrative, building to overwhelming levels of sonic brutality. The repeated line “Kaiju will bring forth a new age of rot” serves as the thesis for the entire record, framing the monster not only as a literal destroyer but as a symbol of humanity’s self-inflicted reckoning.

The final track "Death Shroud" transitions into the aftermath. With the monster gone, what remains is a landscape of ash, grief, and existential dread. The band leans into dissonance and atmosphere, balancing crushing heaviness with bleak introspection. Survivors are left to make sense of their trauma, questioning whether the world can rebuild or if it even should. The Kaiju, now retreated, is no less present. Its legacy hangs in the smoke, a constant reminder of how fragile everything truly was. “The Kaiju may lay dormant, but the anguish remains” is the emotional core of the track and perhaps of the entire release.

Kaiju was produced by DISSENTIENCE in collaboration with Corey Pierce, recorded at Peach Pie Sound by Matt Menafro, mixed by Zeuss, and mastered by Alan Douches. The yet-to-be-revealed cover art is by Matt Stikker, known for his vivid and brutal visual storytelling. This release follows the band’s prior offerings Mask of Pretense (2018) and Empire Anatomy (2022), continuing their evolution as songwriters and sonic architects.

Refusing to imitate the past, DISSENTIENCE draws from influences like TRIVIUM, REVOCATION, SYLOSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEATH, and LAMB OF GOD, all while forging a sound that avoids the trappings of nostalgia. Their music is defined by technicality, brutality, and a refusal to be boxed into genre clichés. Critics have taken note. Decibel Magazine remarked that DISSENTIENCE channels the essence of classic thrash and death metal without creating a carbon copy. Metal Injection praised their ability to blend groove and fury in a way that hits with maximum impact.

With Kaiju, DISSENTIENCE has crafted more than just a record. It is a fully realized conceptual journey that pushes their sound further into new territory. Every song contributes to a unified narrative of destruction, dread, and reflection. It is a rare example of a metal record that is both musically blistering and thematically rich. Where others nod to monsters, DISSENTIENCE gives them voice, weight, and consequence.

About DISSENTIENCE: 

Formed in 2013 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, DISSENTIENCE is a progressive death-thrash metal band that combines the technical precision of death metal with the relentless energy of thrash. Rejecting retro imitation and genre stagnation, the band creates forward-thinking metal that is both aggressive and dynamic. Drawing influence from bands like TRIVIUM, REVOCATION, SYLOSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEATH, and LAMB OF GOD, DISSENTIENCE forges a sound built on sharp riffs, crushing rhythms, and inventive songwriting.

The lineup features Connor Valentin on guitar and vocals, James Vitale on guitar, Sean Langer on bass, and Nick Scherden on drums. Known for their intense live performances and refusal to be confined to a single subgenre, the band continuously pushes their sound in new directions. Their music balances chaos and melody while exploring dark themes through a modern lens.

After releasing their debut EP Mask of Pretense in 2018 and their full-length album Empire Anatomy in 2022, DISSENTIENCE returned with the concept EP Kaiju in 2026. The record blends the devastation of giant monster cinema with the dread of Lovecraftian horror, showcasing the band’s evolution in sound and narrative depth. DISSENTIENCE has earned a reputation as one of the most compelling rising forces in heavy music. Their mission is clear: to make metal that is uncompromising, inventive, and unapologetically intense.

DISSENTIENCE is:

  • Connor Valentin – Guitar / Vocals

  • James Vitale – Guitar

  • Sean Langer – Bass

  • Nick Scherden – Drums


Connect with DISSENTIENCE:

DISSENTIENCE Level Cities With Crushing New Single "Kaiju"

DISSENTIENCE has released "Kaiju," the ferocious title track from their forthcoming EP Kaiju, arriving February 20, 2026. The new single opens with an explosive riff that immediately sets the stage for total destruction and signals the band’s most cinematic and punishing material to date.

Driven by relentless D beat heavy verses, "Kaiju" channels the raw aggression of punk influenced Swedish death metal pioneers like ENTOMBED and GRAVE while maintaining a distinctly modern edge. Riff after riff pummels the listener, creating a synesthetic clash between sound and story as the lyrics depict a colossal monster leveling a fictional city. The massive groove of the chorus adds a new dimension. It is catchy enough to linger yet crushingly heavy, proving that brutality and memorability can coexist.

Midway through the track, DISSENTIENCE briefly eases the throttle with a tense guitar break before detonating into what may be the heaviest riff on the EP. A haunting and dissonant solo from guitarist Connor Valentin escalates the chaos before trading off into searing pentatonic shredding from Jimmy Vitale. Just when it seems the song might relent, the final section surges forward, building intensity with each repetition and culminating in absolute chaos as soaring vocals collide with pummeling drum fills and harmonized riffing.

With "Kaiju," DISSENTIENCE continues to push the boundaries of modern metal storytelling, blending technical mastery with vivid cinematic scope. Fans can expect a fully immersive experience when Kaiju drops in full on February 20, 2026.

Kaiju is a four track concept EP inspired by Japanese monster cinema and Lovecraftian horror. Produced by the band alongside Corey Pierce, the record was engineered by Matt Menafro at Peach Pie Sound, mixed by Zeuss, and mastered by Alan Douches. The EP will be released independently on digital and CD formats.

DISSENTIENCE Unleashes "Chaos Absolute," A Frantic Descent into Power and Destruction

Progressive death-thrash band DISSENTIENCE has announced the release of “Chaos Absolute,” the second single from their forthcoming concept EP Kaiju, due out February 20, 2026.

Kicking off with a high-tension, syncopated intro, “Chaos Absolute” roars into life with a massive groove that is both ferocious and unexpectedly infectious. True to DISSENTIENCE’s trademark blend of precision and chaos, the track fuses dissonant harmonies, razor-sharp riffs, and relentlessly driving drums into a controlled sonic detonation.

Exploring the human element behind cataclysmic destruction, “Chaos Absolute” shifts focus from the towering monsters of Kaiju to the turmoil unfolding in the world’s halls of power. Through the lens of a desperate roundtable of world leaders, the song paints a chilling portrait of collapse, both political and psychological, as civilization spirals toward ruin.

A haunting clean section midway through the track offers a brief reprieve before the band drops one of the heaviest riffs on the entire record. The refrain “Fall into chaos absolute” encapsulates both the listener’s experience and the conceptual heart of the song, capturing the unstoppable disintegration of order.

“Chaos Absolute” also showcases blistering guitar solos from Connor Valentin and Jimmy Vitale, culminating in a climactic return to the thrash-driven frenzy that defines the track. The result is a piece that is as intellectually engaging as it is devastatingly heavy, an unflinching look at humanity’s role in its own undoing.

With Kaiju, DISSENTIENCE continues to push the boundaries of modern metal storytelling, blending technical mastery with cinematic scope. Fans can expect an immersive experience when the full EP drops February 20, 2026.

Kaiju is a four-track concept EP inspired by Japanese monster cinema and Lovecraftian horror. Produced by the band alongside Corey Pierce, the record was engineered by Matt Menafro at Peach Pie Sound, mixed by Zeuss, and mastered by Alan Douches. The full EP will be released independently on digital and CD formats.

About DISSENTIENCE: 

Formed in 2013 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, DISSENTIENCE is a progressive death-thrash metal band that combines the technical precision of death metal with the relentless energy of thrash. Rejecting retro imitation and genre stagnation, the band creates forward-thinking metal that is both aggressive and dynamic. Drawing influence from bands like TRIVIUM, REVOCATION, SYLOSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEATH, and LAMB OF GOD, DISSENTIENCE forges a sound built on sharp riffs, crushing rhythms, and inventive songwriting.

The lineup features Connor Valentin on guitar and vocals, James Vitale on guitar, Sean Langer on bass, and Nick Scherden on drums. Known for their intense live performances and refusal to be confined to a single subgenre, the band continuously pushes their sound in new directions. Their music balances chaos and melody while exploring dark themes through a modern lens.

After releasing their debut EP Mask of Pretense in 2018 and their full-length album Empire Anatomy in 2022, DISSENTIENCE returned with the concept EP Kaiju in 2026. The record blends the devastation of giant monster cinema with the dread of Lovecraftian horror, showcasing the band’s evolution in sound and narrative depth. DISSENTIENCE has earned a reputation as one of the most compelling rising forces in heavy music. Their mission is clear: to make metal that is uncompromising, inventive, and unapologetically intense.

DISSENTIENCE Unleashes First Single “Obsidian Tomb” from Upcoming EP Kaiju

Bethlehem, PA metal act DISSENTIENCE has released “Obsidian Tomb,” the crushing first single from their forthcoming concept EP Kaiju, due out February 20, 2026, accompanied by a brand-new lyric video.

A blistering blend of thrash aggression, death metal precision, and cinematic atmosphere, “Obsidian Tomb” serves as the opening chapter in Kaiju’s apocalyptic narrative. The song begins with a somber acoustic passage before erupting into a relentless assault of blast beats, crushing riffs, and haunting melodies. Lyrically, the track captures the first moments of devastation as a colossal, nameless monster emerges from the depths to annihilate an unsuspecting city.


Rather than grounding the story in a specific place or era, DISSENTIENCE leaves the monster and setting deliberately vague, allowing listeners to project their own fears into the music. The result is a track that feels as timeless as it is terrifying.

Kaiju is a four-track concept EP inspired by Japanese monster cinema and Lovecraftian horror. Produced by the band alongside Corey Pierce, the record was engineered by Matt Menafro at Peach Pie Sound, mixed by Zeuss, and mastered by Alan Douches. The full EP will be released independently on digital and CD formats.

About DISSENTIENCE: 

Formed in 2013 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, DISSENTIENCE is a progressive death-thrash metal band that combines the technical precision of death metal with the relentless energy of thrash. Rejecting retro imitation and genre stagnation, the band creates forward-thinking metal that is both aggressive and dynamic. Drawing influence from bands like TRIVIUM, REVOCATION, SYLOSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, DEATH, and LAMB OF GOD, DISSENTIENCE forges a sound built on sharp riffs, crushing rhythms, and inventive songwriting.

The lineup features Connor Valentin on guitar and vocals, James Vitale on guitar, Sean Langer on bass, and Nick Scherden on drums. Known for their intense live performances and refusal to be confined to a single subgenre, the band continuously pushes their sound in new directions. Their music balances chaos and melody while exploring dark themes through a modern lens.

After releasing their debut EP Mask of Pretense in 2018 and their full-length album Empire Anatomy in 2022, DISSENTIENCE returned with the concept EP Kaiju in 2026. The record blends the devastation of giant monster cinema with the dread of Lovecraftian horror, showcasing the band’s evolution in sound and narrative depth. DISSENTIENCE has earned a reputation as one of the most compelling rising forces in heavy music. Their mission is clear: to make metal that is uncompromising, inventive, and unapologetically intense.