Los Angeles-based experimental metal band MELTED BODIES is set to release their long-awaited sophomore album The Inevitable Fork on October 18, 2024.
Formed in 2015, the four piece has built a reputation in the LA underground scene with their intense performances and willingness to push musical boundaries. Their new album feels like a natural continuation of their journey, yet introduces a deeper, more personal layer to their already complex sound.
Commenting on the record, vocalist Andy Hamm (ex-Local Natives) says: “We all have arrived at, or are approaching our own version of what I call ‘The Inevitable Fork’, and this overarching theme informs most of these songs in some way, much of which is very personal. Our bloodlines, mental health, past traumas, accomplishments, and regrets eventually lead us all to choose one of this fork’s many prongs to follow. Maybe we accept that it’s all imperfect, and we embrace our flaws to make anew or try again. Or perhaps we avoid, stall, numb, or overindulge. We’ve all been told “it’s now or never,” but yet we have heard that so many times. This stigma feeds our avoidance, unaccountability, and utter laziness. But rest assured ‘The Inevitable Fork’ is coming for us all whether we appreciate it or appall it.”
MELTED BODIES first grabbed attention in 2020 with their debut album Enjoy Yourself, released just as the world was going into lockdown. Despite the unfortunate timing, the record became a critical success, earning high praise from outlets like MetalSucks, and was one of the top metal albums on Bandcamp for the year. The album reflected the chaotic spirit of the time with themes of consumerism, isolation, and societal breakdown, marking the band as one to watch.
Their new album, The Inevitable Fork, steps away from the sardonic, biting tone of Enjoy Yourself and dives into more personal territory. The record is the culmination of a three-part EP series, with each installment expanding on themes of mental health, survival, and personal choice.
While Enjoy Yourself was defined by its biting satire, The Inevitable Fork feels more introspective. The band wrestles with the idea of survival vs. joy, and the tension between conforming to societal norms and pursuing a meaningful life.
Andy Hamm’s lyricism is sharp, reflecting on the inevitability of choice and the weight of personal history. It’s a darker and more thoughtful approach, yet the album still packs the energetic punch that fans of the band expect.
Musically, MELTED BODIES continues to blur the lines between genres, drawing from metal, punk, and experimental influences. The album’s current singles, Bloodlines and Something Is Wrong, showcase the band’s love for unpredictable structures and intense sonic textures. Fans of acts like Daughters, Mr. Bungle, and System of a Down will feel right at home in the whirlwind of sound that MELTED BODIES creates.
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MELTED BODIES’ lineup—Andy Hamm (vocals), Scott McDonald (drums), Houda Zakeri (bass), and Ben Majoy (aka Diamondstein, electronics)—has been a staple in the LA scene, playing with acts like Red Fang, Kikagaku Moyo, and Machine Girl. Their stage presence is notorious for its unpredictability and raw energy, which spills over into The Inevitable Fork.
The record was self-recorded in their rehearsal space, keeping the rough, visceral edge that defines their live shows intact.
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The Inevitable Fork sees the band grappling with deeper personal themes, without losing the chaotic spirit that has defined them.
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