Serum

Australian progressive metalcore outfit Reliqa return with Serum, the latest single from their forthcoming album High Risk Thoughts, due to arrive on 12 February 2027. Serving as the record’s opening track, the release offers an introduction to the band’s next chapter, embracing a darker, more mechanical direction while continuing to explore the progressive influences that help define their sound.

There is a clear sense of intent behind this release. Rather than simply offering listeners another taste of modern metalcore, Reliqa are looking to establish a particular atmosphere, building anticipation for an album that promises to explore different sides of their musical identity. Serum sets that process in motion, giving fans an early indication of the direction the band are taking as they prepare to enter this next phase of their career.

One of the most interesting aspects of the single is its darker sonic identity. Reliqa have described the track as low, menacing and mechanical, with progressive metal outfit VOLA among its influences. That provides an interesting starting point for understanding the creative direction behind the release, suggesting a greater emphasis on tension, texture and atmosphere alongside the heaviness associated with progressive metalcore.

It is an approach that gives the single a distinct sense of purpose. Modern heavy music continues to evolve, with artists finding increasingly inventive ways to combine technical musicianship and accessible songwriting. The challenge is ensuring that experimentation contributes to the overall identity of a track rather than becoming an exercise in complexity. Reliqa’s chosen direction suggests a willingness to explore those possibilities, allowing a darker atmosphere to help shape the character of the song.

What makes this particularly relevant is the track’s position within High Risk Thoughts. As the album’s opener, Serum has an important role in establishing the mood for everything that follows. It introduces listeners to the record’s world while leaving room for the remaining songs to develop their own personalities. For a band embracing experimentation, that is an effective way to begin building anticipation without giving away the entire picture before the album arrives.

The wider themes associated with High Risk Thoughts also offer an interesting perspective on the single. The album is set to explore ideas surrounding self understanding, patience and allowing ourselves grace. Placing those human experiences alongside the darker, more mechanical qualities associated with Serum creates an intriguing contrast, suggesting that the record could approach its subject matter from a variety of emotional and musical angles.

There is also something encouraging about Reliqa introducing this material to live audiences ahead of its wider release. It demonstrates that the track has existed beyond the studio environment, giving it an opportunity to connect with listeners as part of the band’s live performances. That relationship between technical ambition and audience connection is important within progressive metalcore, where the most effective material can combine intricate songwriting with a sense of immediacy.

Ultimately, Serum feels like a purposeful introduction to Reliqa’s next chapter. Its darker creative direction establishes an identity for the opening of High Risk Thoughts, while its progressive influences suggest a band willing to continue exploring the possibilities of their sound. Rather than attempting to communicate everything about the upcoming album in one release, the single provides a starting point for what could become a broader exploration of their musical ambitions.

With High Risk Thoughts scheduled for release on 12 February 2027, there is plenty of reason to be curious about what Reliqa have planned next. Serum begins that journey with a clear sense of direction, setting the scene for a record that promises to embrace experimentation and challenge expectations.

For me, the appeal lies in the anticipation this release creates. Reliqa are opening the door to their next era with a track that establishes the atmosphere and creative intentions behind the forthcoming album. The real test will be how those ideas develop across the full record but Serum provides an intriguing introduction to what comes next.