Deadlands - Seven EP
- Samuel Stevens
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Few bands in the modern metalcore landscape feel as purpose-driven or visceral as Deadlands. With their new EP, Seven, out June 27, 2025, via Spinefarm Records, the New York duo of vocalist Kasey Karlsen and producer/multi-instrumentalist CJ Arey (aka NO SHADE) solidify their standing as one of the genre’s fiercest emerging voices. Conceptually ambitious and emotionally unflinching, Seven threads each of its blistering tracks through the lens of one of the seven deadly sins, delivering a cathartic experience that balances heaviness with accessibility, brutality with melody, and vulnerability with venom.
From the outset, it’s clear that Deadlands aren’t here to merely follow in the footsteps of their influences, though fingerprints from Spiritbox, Motionless In White, and Make Them Suffer are certainly present. Instead, Seven feels like a refinement of the band’s sound, evolving beyond their Sentence of Myself EP and viral singles into something more cohesive, daring, and personal.
Opening track "Villain" (Pride) kicks things off with searing precision, introducing listeners to Deadlands’ signature interplay of haunting synths, chunky breakdowns, and Karlsen’s piercing screams counterbalanced by soaring clean vocals. Kasey’s presence as a frontwoman is undeniable, wielding her dynamic range like a blade. The defiance in her delivery makes “Villain” a highlight, sounding equal parts theatrical and confrontational.
"Die In Paradise" (Greed) follows with cutting aggression, blending industrial undertones and deathcore flourishes with massive choruses. The hooks are undeniable, and CJ’s production emphasizes mechanical sharpness without sacrificing raw emotion. This is where Deadlands show they’re not afraid to write big songs.
"MORE!" (Gluttony) digs even deeper into thematic resonance, addressing addiction and eating disorders with a brutal honesty. The song’s swaggering rhythm, gnashing riffs, and massive chorus demand your attention as Kasey howls, “Give me more!”—not as a boast, but as a chilling admission of compulsion. It’s an unflinching track that’s destined to resonate with listeners grappling with their own destructive desires.
Of all the singles, "Limbo" (Lust) stands out as the band’s most refined work yet. Featuring a neck-snapping groove layered with eerie synth textures, the track’s melodic sense perfectly complements its crushing breakdowns. Lyrically, it flips the typical portrayal of lust on its head, framing it as corrosive and emotionally bankrupting rather than seductive. The climactic, soaring refrain is one of the EP’s most memorable moments, proving Deadlands have anthems in their blood.
Whereas collaboration shines on the following track, "Kundalini" (Envy) featuring The Pretty Wild. The synergy between Kasey, Jyl, and Jules is electric, blending fierce femininity with metalcore’s brutality in a way that’s empowering and authentic. Spiritual symbolism and brutal honesty weave throughout the song's lyrics, offering both confrontation and catharsis. “Kundalini” represents not just a sonic partnership but a shared defiance, and it’s easily one of the strongest cuts on the project.
"Wither" (Sloth) throws their traditional structure out the window. The song is chaotic, experimental, and unsettling; it’s intentionally disorienting—its sludgy breakdowns and off-kilter guitar riffs evoking the slow deterioration of motivation and willpower. Kasey’s immense guttural growling vocals practically disintegrate into the fabric of the song, leaving behind a gnarly, melting wreckage.
Deadlands closes out the Seven EP with the track "House of Cards" (Wrath). Deadlands ensures that the EP doesn’t end quietly. Instead, it erupts into pure metalcore catharsis with frenetic riffing, jarring tempo shifts, and vocals that oscillate between anguished and venomous. It’s a fitting finale for a record designed to peel back emotional layers until only raw nerve endings remain.
Throughout Seven, what stands out most isn’t just the skill or the sheer heaviness—it’s the intention behind every note and lyric. Deadlands aren’t interested in metalcore by numbers. They’re here to offer a visceral soundtrack for confronting inner demons. Kasey and CJ’s dynamic is one of complementary strengths, with each track feeling like a joint exorcism of personal and societal anxieties.
With Seven, Deadlands don’t just prove they belong in the conversation alongside genre heavyweights—they prove they’re ready to start leading it. Seven is a bold, ambitious step forward for Deadlands—a conceptual triumph with emotional weight and vicious execution. Watch this band carefully; they’ve only just begun.
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