Right now, the hardcore scene is having a moment. Bands like Turnstile, SPEED, and Guilt Trip are bursting with talent, tearing it up with new approaches to the subgenre. But one band has stolen the spotlight.
Angel Du$t aren’t new on the scene, and calling them just hardcore misses the point. But it’s been two years since their last record, and the singles they dropped in 2025 saw a clear shift. They experimented with a heavier, more alternative sound, frequently weaving in and out of hardcore tendencies.
Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Angel Du$t entered the scene in 2016 with A.D., their disruptive punk record. Over the last decade, they’ve refused to stay in one lane, treating experimentation as a key instrument in shaping their sound.
COLD 2 THE TOUCH is the group’s first full-length in two years. Spread across 11 tracks, the album grows noticeably heavier with each listen, yet remains submerged with plenty of vulnerability. While the album finds the band touch down with a harder sound, they also open up about themes of existentialism.
The group already shared most of the album ahead of its debut, with standouts from this year including the unapologetic “DU$T” and “I’m The Outside,” a slow burn that detonates into a disruptive breakdown that distinguishes its sound from the playfulness and gut-punching album opener “Pain Is A Must.”
The music video for “Pain Is A Must” is a frenzy of exhilarating movements with luminous clothes lighting up the room. It’s an explosion of color and energy packed into a two and a half minute video.
Throughout the record, Angel Du$t welcomes an impressive lineup of collaborations, with notable names like Wes Eisold (Cold Cave / American Nightmare), Frank Carter (Sex Pistols), and Scott Vogel (Terror). The real payoff, however, is the reunion with longtime collaborator and producer Brian McTernan, who recorded much of the band’s early material. For OG Angel Du$t fans, McTernan’s style is almost immediately recognizable. For new listeners, his production is a clean sweep of protruding chorus lines and roaring vocals.
With hardcore music experiencing another reckoning, Angel Du$t are capitalizing on this moment with a record that’s boisterous in all the right places. Tracks like “The Beat” and the title track demand attention, which is amplified by hardcore music videos.
There’s a clear throughline across this record, but sonically, Angel Du$t keeps you guessing. “Nothing I Can’t Kill” is a bit different to the rest, breaking away with a soundwave reminiscent of ’90s indie-grunge rock. It’s likely going to gain momentum for fans of Foo Fighters and adjacent alt-rock acts.
While “Man On Fire” follows with a sultry, seductive swagger that’s both lazy and enticing, frontman Justice Tripp’s vocal delivery is smoother than butter. And the melodic echoes of screamo adlibs bring listeners back to the core of Angel Du$t: an alternative band with an ear for genre-bending sounds.
The making of COLD 2 THE TOUCH marks a significant departure from what they’ve produced in the past. Drummer Nick Lewis, the band’s most recent addition, had never recorded in a proper studio before, while Jim Carroll, their other new member and guitarist, was no stranger to those realms. Throughout the record, the pair join forces with the rest of the group to create a fresh, collaborative sound experience.
Completing the record is the ferocious banger “The Beat.” As far as guest appearances go, Taylor Young’s commanding gutturals are an obliterating touch. And the annihilating shreds from guitarist Steve Marino take it to the next level. It’s short but sweet, ending COLD 2 THE TOUCH on an unstoppable high.
On their latest release, Angel Du$t proves why they’re essential to see live. Every track is packed with mighty weight, built with enough range and momentum to draw in a rambunctious crowd.
If you’re new to the scene and looking for a softer introduction into the world of hardcore, let this album be your entry point.