Not Your Kingdom
MADBALL returns with 'Not Your Kingdom,' their first full-length offering in seven years, continuing a three-decade trajectory as New York hardcore's defining act. The 30-minute album balances muscular beatdown tracks with punk-influenced songs, featuring frontman Freddie Cricien at peak vocal form. The production incorporates street sounds and radio snippets, creating a meticulously crafted listening experience that reflects the band's artistic maturity without compromising their core vision.
With standout tracks including the anthemic 'Tethered,' the 59-second assault of 'Flammable,' and 'Rebel Kids' as described as the year's strongest hardcore punk hymn, the album demonstrates both the band's mastery of their genre and their continued willingness to push its boundaries. The closer 'Chase a Dream' exemplifies the record's hallmark authenticity, cementing 'Not Your Kingdom' as a demonstration of MADBALL's enduring relevance and refusal to abandon the hardcore cause they championed decades ago.
- MADBALL releases 'Not Your Kingdom,' their first album in seven years, maintaining their commitment to uncompromised New York hardcore
- The 14-track album showcases frontman Freddie Cricien's vocal potency and features standout tracks like 'Tethered,' 'Flammable,' and 'Rebel Kids' alongside meticulous production with street sounds and radio snippets
- The review hails it as arguably the band's most cohesive and complete work, reinforcing their status as NYC hardcore's standard-bearers