Volumes - Mirror Touch (2025)^{Release ID: 65216}

Volumes' new album Mirror Touch was released digitally in December 2025 and physically in February 2026. It shows the band distancing further from their djent-core roots than before, to the point where they're almost entirely mainstream alt-metal. While not the best direction, it's still a pretty solid offering for anyone willing to explore more of the band and genre. But let's elaborate further...

Since releasing their debut Via 15 years ago, they've been a well-praised band in the djenty metalcore scene. Mirror Touch shows the band transition to mainstream alt-metal practically complete, though this melodic direction is not without some throwbacks to their heavy groove-laden roots. They know how to please both new and longtime fans.

We get a somewhat disjointed opener in "Sidewinder". It's still good but a little off-balance. "Bottom Dollar" has more impact, restoring some of that earlier djenty groove while including some hip-hop sections that are actually well-crafted. "Bad Habit" is the first catchy rock track here. The vocals and guitar sound so serene in the chorus, though the band would still throw some heavy punches.

Then "California" takes their pop-ish aspects further than any of their material before. Quite jarring, but I can still enjoy the catchy hooks and the midway heavy edge. It's worth appreciating "Adrenaline" for showing more emotion despite the softer motives. "Stitch" drags you from the previous track's light into the heavy technical darkness. With that said, the clean singing was still dominant in the first minute until spiraling back into the harsh vocals. The heavier grooves don't stop there, as "S.O.A.P." has them battling against the clean melodies in the dark fields.

"Dream" is so dreamy, and it has some of the best vocals here in great chemistry. The upbeat light from the guitar melodies makes this a wonderful standout. There's still one remaining melodic track in "Worth It", which I guess is worth making it this far, especially when we have a finale to look forward to... "Suffer On" is absolutely brutal in the riffs and vocals, including guest features from the two Black Sheep Wall vocalists Brandon Gillichbauer and Trae Malone. That can give them potential for a heavier future!

So yeah, Mirror Touch is more melodic than Volumes' past offerings, but the heaviness isn't totally gone, particularly when looking back at their earlier djenty grooves. It's nice and consistent, and a great way to end the previous year. They still have their magic touch....

Favorites: "Bottom Dollar", "Adrenaline", "S.O.A.P.", "Dream", "Suffer On"