God Save The Gun: Militarie Gun Announce New Album, Share "B A D I D E A
A Celebration Of Vices
Hardcore's Next Evolution? Militarie Gun's New Album Explores Pop and Personal Trauma
With all the excitement of modern hardcore, where the lines between subgenres are blurred, Militarie Gun have always felt like a beacon. Not in the sense of a grand, monolithic statement, but as a group that understands the genre's core tenets while simultaneously pulling them apart and reassembling them with a joyous, pop-sensible irreverence. Their 2023 debut, Life Under the Gun, was a whirlwind of concise, furious tracks that hinted at something more, a feeling that frontman Ian Shelton's barked delivery was a disguise for a much deeper melodic sensibility. It was a record that cemented their place in the new wave of hardcore acts, a scene defined by its DIY ethos, political consciousness, and a willingness to embrace sounds far outside the traditional punk palette.
Now, with their sophomore effort, God Save the Gun, Militarie Gun are not just hinting at their pop sensibilities—they're embracing them. Out October 17th on Loma Vista Recordings, the new album finds the Los Angeles quintet digging into the anxieties and struggles of addiction and self-destruction with an unflinching honesty that is both intensely personal and universally relatable. The lead single, "B A D I D E A," is a perfect encapsulation of this evolution. Shelton’s vocals are as enthusiastic and raw as ever, but they’re now backed by a brighter, almost anthemic arrangement. It's a track that fully commits to the power-pop side of their sound, a move that could alienate purists but will undoubtedly win over a wider audience. This isn't a betrayal of their hardcore roots; it’s an expansion of them. It's the sound of a band pushing the boundaries of what is expected, much like their peers in bands like Turnstile and Drug Church, who have also found a way to bridge the gap between heavy music and infectious melody.
God Save the Gun promises to be a deeply introspective album, with Shelton openly discussing his struggles with drinking, a vulnerability that he acknowledges as a "marketing hook" but one that he feels is necessary to share. This kind of raw, emotional candor is a cornerstone of the modern hardcore movement, which has increasingly moved away from pure aggression and toward a more nuanced, emotionally charged lyrical landscape. Militarie Gun, with their unique blend of frantic energy and melodic hooks, are at the forefront of this shift. They are a band that can inspire a the wildest pits one moment and a sing-along chorus the next, a duality that makes their music so compelling. And refreshing honestly. It’s how it should be, right?, With God Save the Gun, they're not just making a new album; they're solidifying their role as one of the most exciting and vital voices in contemporary punk/hardcore.
Follow Militari Gun on IG a @militariegun
