Philadelphia's VARIALS — Skyler Conder, vocals; Shane Lyons, guitar; Mike Foley, bass; Sean Rauchut, drums — re-entered the chat and in a metallically massive way in September. The band shared the video "I'll Find the Dark," its first new track since 2022. It's an impenetrable and intimidating wall of sound. Watch the video below. It was also the first track to feature formidable new frontman Conder.
Varials up the ante yet again by announcing their new album WHERE THE LIGHT LEAVES. It arrives February 27 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here.
The band has also shared the video for the title track, which is another hulking slab of metal.
Watch it below:
"'Where The Light Leaves' is the key introduction to the overall idea of the album itself," says Conder. "Through many emotions in my life, I found myself always feeling trapped within my mind, in a sense of purgatory and as if my mental state was a nightmare. The video and song are meant to elaborate, lyrically and visually, what it feels like being stuck there and unable to leave — eventually just accepting it and learning to live with it."
There's a distinct irony to "Where The Light Leaves." It sounds like a live demolition. The earth-shaking percussion and blast beats are like slabs of concrete, tumbling from the sky, while Conder spits violent verses that could've erupted from the center of the earth. It's plate-shifting collision of riffs and roars. Ultimately, what comes down goes right back up — the track is just another instance of Varials erecting a wall of metallic chaos with each new song.
Varials deliver hardcore ferocity, monstrous breakdowns, and nu-metal groove with an adventurous atmosphere and unapologetic purpose. Born in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, Varials embody East Coast attitude and determination, pouring every ounce of struggle into their songs. Their fourth album, Where the Light Leaves, arrives with explosive energy and focus. Varials first established their place in the modern heavy landscape with Pain Again (2017) and In Darkness (2019). Tracks like "Romance," "Empire of Dirt," and "Anything to Numb" became anthems, blending metalcore strength with raw honesty that deeply resonated with audiences. Scars for You to Remember (2022) expanded that vision, further cementing their reputation as one of the most emotionally intense acts of the modern era. Produced by longtime collaborator Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Dayseeker, The Plot In You), Where the Light Leaves signifies a new chapter. An often chaotic and experimental process—creating dozens of demos—resulted in 13 songs that capture Varials at their most powerful and creatively ambitious. The performances are deliberately raw, embracing imperfections to forge an immediate, human connection. Guttural heaviness paired with new melodic textures delivers a sound that is both punishing and expansive. As demonstrated on tours with Knocked Loose, Wage War, and Kublai Khan TX, among others, Varials are a fierce and formidable live band, and that energy is reflected in Where The Light Leaves.
