Denver Hardcore Band Tackles Politics With New Album

Tunnel Jumper, a Denver-based hardcore group, dropped their latest record called Half Gone on September 4 through Mean World Records. The band also released their first single, Homosapien, earlier this week on August 21. This marks a fresh chapter for the local metal scene that has long used its platform to speak out against social issues.

Vocalist JP Lichtenberg explained that the album's main focus is the current state of affairs across politics, the environment, and society. He noted that the group feels they've moved past their initial anti-MAGA and anti-tech messages and wants to address what they see as wrong directions being taken. The band sees themselves as part of a larger movement within the hardcore community that shares similar concerns about policy and environmental health.

Other local acts like Acid Sentence, King Rat, Circling Over, MF Ruckus, Takipnik, and Battle Sights are heading to shows alongside Tunnel Jumper. Their upcoming performance includes a benefit set at 303 Boards on August 15. The collective effort shows how the Denver underground is coming together for events that blend music with activism.

Musically, Tunnel Jumper blends heavy thrash with crossover sounds, creating what Lichtenberg calls an extreme picture. Drummer Adam Frost uses his kit as a way to vent frustration with everyday problems and global chaos. Guitarist Jake Palmer and bassist Justin Redington have refined their sound since their previous EP Ivory Tower came out two years ago. For the band, making music is a form of catharsis that lets them process complex feelings.