Two Converge albums in one year. The first new Piebald album in 19 years. A resurgent Iodine Records being an integral part in a few of these things happening. May as well add the return of There Were Wires with their first new music in over 23 years for good measure, right? The Martha’s Vineyard-origined Boston hardcore and metal scene stalwarts of the late ’90s and early Aughts left many a VFW hall wrecked back in their day and played some classics with Converge as well as bands like Dillinger Escape Plan and Mastodon during their nascent years before calling it a day in 2003. Come this summer, however, the five-piece of vocalist Jaime Mason, guitarists Thomas Moses and Joseph Thomas, bassist Jebb Riley, and drummer Ryan Begley are back in full force after reuniting in 2023 with their third studio album, Vessel.

Lead single “Massive House Fire” is aptly titled in its powderkeg energy of visceral hardcore conflagrated with epic metalcore riffs. It’s remarkable how they sound bigger, bolder, and more resonating than ever here, and not only that, but how their timing is perfect when you look around what else is happening throughout New England’s youth movement. “All in all / I was crystalline / Burn it / I was birthed anew,” Mason growls through the flames with full fury. It all goes to show you that sometimes it’s that slowburn in finding your way back that ultimately leads to the loudest explosion upon returning.

Edited by: Ryan Begley & Jebb Riley

There Were Wires’ Vessel will be released June 26th on Iodine Recordings.