It’s been over seven years since Hell & Back graced the pages of our magazine, but their return is marked by something undeniably special. The Stuttgart-based melodic punk outfit has dropped a powerful new single, “Space Jam,” a track steeped in urgency, despair, and raw emotion.
Taken from their third LP, released on November 29th via Not Sorry Records, this song embodies the gritty yet heartfelt known from Hot Water Music and more bands that we have come to love.
Hell & Back’s style has always resonated with those who appreciate melodic yet gritty punk rock. Their sound delivers a unique blend of emotive, heartfelt melodies and rough edges that pull no punches. “Space Jam” is no exception, delivering both musically and thematically.
The lyrics of “Space Jam” grapple with the overwhelming state of the world. As the band succinctly puts it: “The lyrics deal with how f***** up the world has become that you literally want to get into a spaceship to leave all climate change, destruction of the earth, war, and right-wing politics behind you.”
This sentiment is woven into every line of the track, from the frustration and resignation in “I’m not gonna start to argue here / Sick of talking – sick of fighting,” to the ultimate yearning for escape in “In a world full of battles I will leave for space.”
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It’s a stark reflection of modern times: a world fractured by environmental degradation, societal unrest, and political turmoil. The song’s tone shifts between hopelessness and a longing for a better existence—even if that better place exists only in the unreachable vastness of space.
To bring the themes of “Space Jam” to life, Hell & Back once again collaborated with make-up artist Jessica Rankenmayer for the music video. Known for her ability to craft hauntingly vivid visuals, Rankenmayer’s work complements the song’s narrative with an aesthetic that is equal parts ethereal and dystopian. The video underscores the track’s message, juxtaposing beauty and decay, hope and despair.
Hell & Back’s live shows are as raw and emotive as their recorded work. Here’s where you can catch them in the coming months:
03/01 – Köln, Germany – Limes
04/01 – Hamburg, Germany – Hafenklang
05/01 – Hannover, Germany – Monster Records
08/02 – Augsburg, Germany – Ballonfabrik
22/03 – Saarbrücken, Germany – Karate Klub Meier
03/05 – Mannheim, Germany – Juz
31/05 – Regensburg, Germany – Alte Mälzerei
21/06 – Dresden, Germany – Farewell Youth Fest
