Quebec’s SCARE marks Halloween with their latest single, “Nevermind If It All Explodes, I’ll Die Anyway,” a fittingly nihilistic anthem that deepens their dark blend of hardcore and sludge
The track—a grim, bone-rattling groove—arrives as the quartet refines their sophomore album, set for an early 2025 release. In true SCARE style, the song tackles the grinding weight of existential frustration, underscored by a relentless, sludgy heaviness that feels like an anthem for anyone mired in the everyday monotony and darker cycles of life.
Originating in Quebec City in 2015, SCARE’s sound sits somewhere between the bleakness of hardcore and the unyielding force of sludge metal. Their influences—bands like CURSED, MI AMORE, BURIED INSIDE, and TRIGGER EFFECT—can be heard throughout their work, but SCARE continually pushes the boundaries, building a unique voice that finds resonance in the discomforts and anxieties of modern existence.
Each release has added a new layer to their approach, refusing easy genre labels but staying consistently tied to themes of inner turmoil and societal disillusionment. Their music, as the band describes, aims at shining a light on the harsher sides of life, a sound fueled by the disillusionment of what they call “no fun.”
The group’s discography traces a growing ambition, beginning with a self-titled demo in 2015, followed by the Fleshed Out EP in 2016 and their debut full-length, Not Dead Yet, Probably…, in 2019. This trajectory has only intensified with Congratulations On Your Death, their 2021 EP, which delves further into the tension between human fragility and brutal endurance. Adding to their catalog, the 2020 remixes by UGLY_BASSPLAYER demonstrated SCARE’s interest in reframing their sound through raw experimentation.
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The new single reflects SCARE’s latest sonic explorations, captured with brutal clarity by Ryan Battistuzzi at Le Stuzzio studio, and wrapped in the stark artwork of Kevin Martel. “Nevermind If It All Explodes, I’ll Die Anyway” sees vocalist Philip Roy diving into the hauntingly cyclical nature of existence. “This piece explores the idea that we may be trapped in a loop,” Roy explains, “where every decision, every path, every loss feels like a repetition, like there’s no escape from certain patterns. Recognizing this loop is the only way out, by creating moments that matter enough to relive. In the end, you’re left wondering if it was worth it.”
With Gabrielle Noel Begin on guitar, Jon Fillion on bass, Xavier Laprade on drums, and Roy handling vocals and sampler duties, SCARE channels a massive, oppressive sound that carries both weight and nuance. They are a fixture in the live circuit, with an intensity that translates powerfully from recording to performance. Their live presence will continue to grow as they reveal upcoming tour dates, offering audiences a visceral taste of what’s in store for 2025.