It is always my immense pleasure to review a new Dreamwell album whenever the opportunity arises. They are a band whose tenacity is inspiring to me, always managing to push through stumbling blocks to deliver a vital, authentic truth to the world. Hymns for the Denial of God is the next chapter in the band’s ever-shifting attempt at being themselves, and might just see them pull it off the most effortlessly.

Whenever a band has to make a decision following a core member’s departure, there is always a fork in the road that presents itself: seek out a replacement and bring new vision to the existing dynamic, or carry on and drill down on what is already present between the remaining members. Dreamwell decided to take the latter path in the wake of guitarist Aki McCullough’s departure after 2023’s In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You. The resulting writing sessions have produced a leaner, meaner Dreamwell that is also a more confident sounding Dreamwell. Hymns for the Denial of God bares the most teeth the band have shown in their musical career, its tight 33 minute run time defined by aggressive, angular riffing, the growl of overdriven bass work, and drums that hammer the point home like nails through a crucifix. Lyrically, Hymns marks a turning point for the band as well, with vocalist and lyricist KZ Staska choosing to focus more on an outward perspective this time around. “The album interrogates the negative impact of organized religion when it’s misused to justify violence, genocide, and hatred of others,” writes Staska. “It’s not a purely atheistic statement either. I’m choosing not to believe in a God who’s invoked to validate evil.” Certainly, there are no words minced here when it comes to those evils, as on tracks like “‘Sissy Hate Machine” (I will be the one who demands more weight as they lay you down / and stack upon you all the headstones / of every one of my precious siblings / that you motherfuckers stole) and “Your Icthys Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” (You’d benefit from a bit of Catholic shame / there is nothing to your heart but hate / and you are owed no more than that from others).

The confrontational subject matter perfectly meshes with the more confrontational music, delivered with trademark wit and poignant insight to make Hymns into a standout release. While there are less expansive, atmospheric sections to the songs written here, they remain nonetheless as textured and gripping as anything the band have ever written, a picture perfect amalgamation of sassy hardcore and early aughts screamo sensibilities. The more time I spend listening to and thinking about Hymns for the Denial of God, the more I am convinced this is a crowning achievement, the most fully realized version of Dreamwell’s music that exists.

—Vincent

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Hymns for the Denial of God is available now on Prosthetic Records. For more information on Dreamwell, visit the band’s Facebook page.