Drown The Planet: “The Blessed /// The Cursed” EP Review
Drown the Planet hit our radar earlier this year when the Arizona-based band started dropping some killer singles. If you’re someone missing those hard-hitting, deep trenched emo songs of the 2000s, this is a band that you need to check out. You can hear the post-hardcore, emo influence in both the music and lyrics.
The Blessed /// The Cursed EP Review:
Tracks: 6
Length: 16:17
Release Date: June 7, 2026
Label: Independent Release
The EP comes out swinging with an explosive opening line “Lord won’t you teach me to bless those who curse me. Praying for parasites.” The opening track is aptly named “praying4parasites.” The chugging bass and distorted guitars dominate through a majority of the song and we get our brutal breakdown as the song slams to an end.
The Blessed /// The Cursed has one speed: fast. The deep, guttural vocal screams from the beginning show no mercy for “beaten & bruised.” You can hear traces of Impending Doom in the musicality of the song. This song also features Mike Fuelkner from Convictions. The collision of Jason and Mike on the mic brings a higher level of brutality to the song. This tempo will get the crowd two-stepping in no time. Towards the end of the song, the lyrics seem to reflect that of what Jesus took on our behalf and that the only reason that He does anything for us is because of His love for us.
“v/i/l/e” continues to take the speed up past the limit. It just doesn’t slow down. What makes this song stand out from the rest is how it feels musically deep and complex, while still maintaining that fast tempo. In this particular song, the sound gives me a throwback to the 2000s where the sounds of Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada and Blindside filled the air. The effects of the guitar offers an illusion of the police siren, highlighting the band’s knack for giving every song its own identity. The chugging distortions give a nasty brutal end to the song.
“You are a monster that enjoys inflicting pain on the people you supposedly love!”
There is some confusion with regards to the lyrics in this song. A majority of the song is centered around a tainted relationship, emphasizing hurt and pain, but then it ends with a reading from Psalm 23. This begs the question: is the song about a broken relationship, or someone with ill will toward God? Either way, the music sounds great, even if the lyrics are a bit baffling.
While “praying4parasites” opens with an explosion, similarly “c0mm0n sense” opens with the question “Don’t you have any common sense?” I love pointing this out because at times we ask ourselves the same question. Breakdowns and guitar slides occupy a majority of the song. Jason’s vocal range highlights how he can go from the 2000s post-hardcore scream to this deep, gruff scream that comes from the depths of his soul.
“You will never listen. You will never learn. You will never face it. Your brain never works. It will never sink in. It will never make sense to somebody like you.”
“c0mm0n sense” is a great, hard-hitting song, but the theme of the song is murky. The song seems to constantly question a person’s ability to think rationally, ultimately asking whether they actually possess any common sense at all.
“disassociate.” is an interesting listen; the message of the song seems to be coming from the perspective of a person hiding behind a fake smile. Unlike most Christian songs that write about this topic, Drown The Planet really leans into their emo side, staying in the mentality of feeling defeated and alone. Unfortunately, it is a reality for people who struggle with mental health. It might sound bleak to say there is no message of hope, but this song is simply trying to raise awareness, shining a light on the fact that some people are just putting on a fake smile to get through the day. Outside of the message, they utilize an electronic element to start the song, along with some attitude that brings elements of hip-hop into metal. Despite all this, there is still no slow down to the tempo. The song offers differing vocal styles and guitar squealing. That combination will get your head bobbing along.
The Blessed /// The Cursed ends with “v o i d.” Just like the previous track, the band utilizes the same 2000s-era Devil Wears Prada electronic elements. If I were to give a vocal comparison for Jason, I would say that it would be Mike Hranica from The Devil Wears Prada. Just as the last song is centered around the struggle with mental health, this song is centered on the struggle with suicide. I do like the words to end the song, “I will survive the void. I will survive!” It is an anthem for all those who have struggled with depression and suicide. Remember that somebody is always there for you even when you feel you’re alone.
Only six tracks, 16 minutes and 17 seconds, but you get one of the best musical EPs of the year. There are influences throughout ranging from nu-metal to post-hardcore to heavy metal and it highlights the band’s ability to flow from one style to another with incredible smooth transitions. Jason Wayne, the band’s frontman, writes a majority of the songs and he has a lot to offer. Before this release dropped, he noted that he wanted to write sad, emo songs. He certainly delivered, channeling the emo and post-hardcore era of the early 2000s. Drown the Planet has a bright future! I highly recommend that you take the time to listen to their music and what they have to say.
