It is Going To get Dark

There are albums that are designed to be enjoyable, albums that are written to be technically impressive and then there are records like It Is Going To Get Dark that exist purely to leave a mark. No Cure have never hidden behind subtlety, but this feels like the point where every element of their identity comes together with absolute conviction. From the opening seconds onwards the album feels hostile, urgent and completely relentless, yet underneath all of that aggression is a level of songwriting that keeps every track memorable rather than simply relying on constant heaviness. This isn’t chaos for the sake of chaos; every breakdown, every tempo change and every violent outburst has a purpose, making the entire record feel like one continuous assault that refuses to give you a moment to breathe.

One of the biggest strengths throughout the album is how naturally everything flows together. Even though the songs have their own identities, there is a constant momentum that makes it incredibly difficult to stop listening once you’ve started. Instead of feeling like twelve individual tracks stitched together, it plays more like a single experience that steadily becomes darker, heavier and more emotionally suffocating as it progresses. That pacing is something No Cure absolutely nail, allowing the record to build tension without ever becoming repetitive.

Instrumentally, the band sound razor sharp. The guitars deliver crushing riffs that swing effortlessly between metallic hardcore violence, death metal brutality and modern metalcore groove, constantly throwing out huge moments without sacrificing precision. There is an undeniable weight behind every note, yet the riffs never become predictable because they are constantly evolving, twisting into unexpected directions before locking back into grooves that feel absolutely punishing. The rhythm section deserves just as much praise, with the bass adding another layer of depth beneath the guitars while the drums are an absolute force throughout. Every blast beat, every breakdown and every frantic fill feels calculated to maximise impact, creating an almost overwhelming sense of intensity that never lets up.

Vocally, No Cure continue to separate themselves from so many bands operating in similar territory. The delivery feels genuinely unhinged in the best possible way, balancing raw anger with controlled precision. Instead of simply shouting over heavy music, every line feels like it carries genuine frustration and conviction, making the performances hit with even greater force. Whether the songs are charging forward at full speed or locking into slower, crushing grooves, the vocals remain the focal point, giving each track its own personality while maintaining the band’s unmistakable identity.

What really impressed me, though, is how the album avoids becoming one dimensional. On paper, thirty two minutes of constant aggression could easily become exhausting but No Cure understand exactly when to introduce atmosphere, tension or subtle melodic moments before throwing the listener straight back into another crushing section. Those dynamics make the heavy moments feel even heavier because they’re earned rather than forced. The contrast creates a record that constantly keeps you engaged instead of simply overwhelming you with volume.

The guest appearances never feel like marketing tools either. Each feature naturally complements the song it’s attached to, adding another level of intensity without ever overshadowing the band’s own identity. That’s something a lot of heavy records struggle with but here every collaboration feels genuinely earned and helps elevate the surrounding material rather than distracting from it.

Production is another huge victory. Everything sounds enormous without becoming overproduced. The guitars have incredible bite, the drums punch through the mix with authority, the bass adds real depth and the vocals sit perfectly above the controlled chaos. Despite how dense many of these songs become, every instrument still has room to breathe, allowing all of the small details to come through after multiple listens. It’s the kind of production that complements the band’s sound rather than polishing away the raw aggression that makes them so compelling in the first place.

Perhaps what stands out most is how authentic the album feels. There is no sense that No Cure are chasing trends or trying to fit into whatever modern heavy music happens to be doing. Every second feels unapologetically true to who they are, embracing metallic hardcore with complete confidence while pulling influence from across the heavier end of the spectrum. That authenticity gives the record an identity that many heavier releases struggle to establish, making It Is Going To Get Dark instantly recognisable from the first few moments.

By the time the closing track fades out, you’re left with the feeling that you’ve experienced something far bigger than a collection of songs. It’s aggressive, uncompromising and absolutely relentless but beneath the brutality sits a band with genuine songwriting ability and a clear understanding of how to build an album that rewards repeat listens. Every spin reveals another riff, another vocal layer or another transition that somehow hits even harder than it did the first time.

It Is Going To Get Dark is exactly what a modern extreme metal record should be, fearless, crushing and overflowing with conviction. No Cure haven’t simply released another heavy album, they’ve delivered one of those records that reminds you why intensity still matters when it’s backed by genuine creativity and exceptional musicianship. It demands your attention from beginning to end and refuses to let go long after the final note has disappeared. For anyone searching for an album that captures pure aggression without sacrificing substance, this is an absolutely essential listen and one of the strongest heavy releases of the year.