Los Angeles-based heavy post-hardcore band Nine Necks has unveiled “Deadweight,” the third and final single from their upcoming EP Ritual & Demise.
This track doesn’t just close a chapter—it sets the tone for what’s next, marking their first release with a new lineup after nearly five years of silence. It’s a decisive step into harsher territory, written with a sharp focus on vocalist Dan Rees, who joined the band during their transitional phase.
“Deadweight” is rooted in intentionality. According to the band, it’s the first track crafted with Dan’s distinct vocal style in mind.
“It’s also the first song we wrote that leaned heavily into our current harsher vibe,” they explain. “It felt more ‘in your face’ than anything that came before it.” The result? A piece that shreds any lingering ties to their older material and fully embraces the raw, violent energy that now defines their sound.
The path to Ritual & Demise wasn’t straightforward. Nine Necks spent time grappling with their evolving identity, caught between the melodic hardcore roots of their earlier work and the heavier, darker direction they wanted to explore. “We had written a handful of songs that kind of felt ‘in between,’” they share. “They were a mix of our somewhat original writing style but trying to incorporate a harsher sound. While we like those tracks, we started to realize we wanted to go in a heavier direction.”
The shift is most evident in “Deadweight.” It represents not just a sonic transformation but a thematic one. Where the band’s previous material often tackled personal struggles like depression and self-loathing, this new track cuts deeper. “Deadweight goes even further,” they say. “It touches on the ideas of no forgiveness and lack of meaning in one’s own life.”
Both the lyrics and structure of “Deadweight” were collaborative efforts, shaped through an iterative process of experimentation and refinement. The band worked through multiple drafts, reworking vocal themes and restructuring the song several times. “We developed aligned themes for them. We changed the overall structure and flow several times over. We even experimented a bit with FX on the vocals,” they note.
Noise and unconventional elements played a key role in the track’s evolution. The outro, with its call-and-response layers, came together later in the process, adding a chaotic intensity that underscores the track’s violent edge.
The song was first road-tested during a short tour in November 2023, where the band played an early version of “Deadweight.” The live performances provided valuable feedback. “While we got a great response all around, there were a couple of tweaks that we realized needed to be made,” the band explains.
Those adjustments came together during recording sessions with Alex Estrada (Touche Amore, Drug Church, etc.) at The Pale Moon Ranch. Estrada’s guidance helped push the track’s ending into bigger, more crushing territory. “He had some great ideas on how to go bigger, so we switched out the original end version to the version in the track,” the band says. “He definitely put his stamp on this one. He had a clear vision, especially at the end of the track.”
With their new EP mastered by Chris Common (These Arms Are Snakes, The Mars Volta) and “Deadweight” in particular, Nine Necks has found clarity in their sound. It’s heavy, unrelenting, and unapologetic—a clear departure from their past and a promise of what’s to come. “We’re now really happy where the song is and plan to continue down the trajectory of the more violence-forward sound,” they say.
“Deadweight” premieres today, with Ritual & Demise set to follow this spring. Two other songs are available, too, so don’t miss out on them!
Nine Necks is Dan Rees on vocals, Joe Hunt on guitar and vocals, Patrick Bellanger on drums, and Matt Bellanger on bass.
