Ever since I heard "False God" in 2023, I've been enamored with Pipe Bomb. Every song released since then has brought the same ferocious sound and unabashed, Christ-centered lyricism that is refreshing, even in an era when outspoken Christian metal is flourishing. This trend continues with Pipe Bomb's long-awaited debut full-length record, Hell Hole, a short but dense album that packs more than merely a punch.

As always, chaotic metalcore continues to be the name of the game here. Ironically, the title track also crosses the line into nu metal territory for a moment or two, but the brunt of Hell Hole is frenzied, mathy metalcore that hardly ever lets up. For instance, "Tabloid" and "Bliss" explode with intense blast beats while panic-inducing guitar riffs match the rhythm, and vocalist Mitchell Layton screams all of his organs out about the meaninglessness of worldly fame and fortune ("Fashion is a losing game, wrap yourself in cellophane / join the ego echo cult, dying once won't kill the fame / amputate the highest horse, lipstick on a rotting corpse / once the money fades away, no one will care what you say / never").

Not every track is blisteringly fast, but they are all abrasive, honest, and lyrically confrontational. "Under God's Heel" sets the tone with some amazing lyrics: "If the devil wants me dead, he'll have to kill me himself / because I'm living to spite his will on this side of the ground." It transitions into "Choke," a Deathbreaker-esque song that blends metalcore and slam hardcore while going after liars, hypocrites, and the spiritually lukewarm. The song takes no prisoners, with some of the most biting lyrics on the album ("Your faith is taking in water ‘cause it's watered down / your head can't weather the scorn / we're called to carry our cross, but you burnt it just to keep yourself warm / so did you keep yourself warm?"). It stings, but Layton refuses to hold back, confronting the worthless gods of this world ("Hate Club"), corrupt pastors and cult leaders ("Mob Rule"), our desires to return to sin ("Concrete"), and a lot more.

The aim of Pipe Bomb is clearly to be bold about faith, false Christianity, and even Layton's own struggles (see "I Will Kill the Worst Parts of Myself"). But thankfully, he's also taken care to set his thoughts to an incredible musical landscape that sounds great and begs the listener to crank the volume. It's hard to figure out which hits harder: the musical ruthlessness or the lyrical haymakers. Hell Hole is a knock-out punch of an album and, even this early in the year, a surefire contender for album of the year. Fans of The Chariot, Deathbreaker, and Earth Groans should put this thing on repeat.

- Review date: 3/16/26, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

Record Label: Resuscitation Records
Album length: 10 tracks: 24 minutes, 7 seconds
Street Date: March 18, 2026
Buy It: Amazon Music

1. Under God's Heel (1:32)
2. Choke (3:30)
3. Hell Hole (3:55)
4. Tabloid (2:03)
5. I Will Kill the Worst Parts of Myself (1:47)
6. Hate Club (2:35)
7. Mob Rule (2:22)
8. Bliss (1:11)
9. Straight Edge Hate (1:40)
10. Concrete (3:23)