Cancer Bats: Give Me Dirt
Canadian hardcore four-piece Cancer Bats’ upcoming album, Give Me Dirt, is set for release on 7 August and is shaping up to be one of their most exciting releases to date. Joining forces with Marshall Records, the band stay true to their signature hardcore sound while also featuring guest appearances from Nate Newton, Brooklyn Doran and Efrem Schulz. Packed with energy from start to finish, Give Me Dirt is set to be a highly anticipated record for fans, particularly with its potential to create chaos in the mosh pits during future live performances.
The opener, ‘World Wide Fire Death Race’, featuring Nate Newton, immediately sets the tone with a powerful guitar introduction. Lyrically, the track explores the process of letting go of enemies and inner demons, no matter how challenging this may be. Through its intense instrumentation and personal themes, the band encourages listeners to move away from aspects of life that prevent them from being their authentic selves, reinforcing the importance of freedom and self-expression.
Single ‘Stay Stuck’ acts as a reminder for fans not to waste time pursuing things that do not make them happy, instead encouraging them to follow their own dreams and ambitions. The track highlights the importance of making personal choices and refusing to allow others to determine the direction of your life. With its memorable chorus and powerful message, ‘Stay Stuck’ captures the confidence and determination that defines Cancer Bats’ sound.
The title track, ‘Give Me Dirt’, explores the connection between the band and the natural world, focusing on how being surrounded by nature can create a sense of grounding and connection. The track highlights the importance of protecting the planet so that people can continue to experience these moments of reflection and escape. Alongside its meaningful message,‘Give Me Dirt’ is also one of the heaviest songs on the record, making it a likely highlight when performed live.
‘Long Tooth’, featuring indie-folk artist Brooklyn Doran, explores themes of self-acceptance and kindness. The track encourages listeners to recognise that everyone is facing their own challenges and that compassion is essential. Doran’s contribution adds a different emotional layer to the album, creating a powerful contrast with Cancer Bats’ typically aggressive hardcore style.
The closing track, ‘Fools Like You’, featuring Efrem Schulz, brings together the main themes of Give Me Dirt by focusing on individuality, personal freedom and making your own decisions. The song reinforces the idea that people should have control over their own choices and feel confident following their own paths.
Overall, Give Me Dirt promises to be a powerful addition to Cancer Bats’ discography, combining their signature hardcore intensity with meaningful messages about self-expression, resilience and independence. Each track showcases the band’s ability to deliver high-energy performances while exploring important themes, and the album is likely to become a favourite among fans. With its explosive sound and strong messages, Give Me Dirt is a release that listeners should be excited for.