Review Teardrinker – I Hope This Hurts

The annual ROADBURN FESTIVAL in Tilburg is known for its exclusive shows, as part of which artists can present a piece of music created specifically for the festival. Fairly prominent examples from past years include, for instance, FINAL LIGHT (Johannes Persson of CULT OF LUNA and James Kent of PERTURBATOR) or the collab between sludge metallers THOU and Emma Ruth Rundle, both projects whose festival shows turned into one-off studio projects. All the more pleasing when such a project mutates into a permanent band, as is the case with TEARDRINKER.

One highlight of the 2026 ROADBURN FESTIVALS was without question TEARDRINKER’s performance. Briefly put, this was initially a feminist and anti-fascist musicians’ collective centred around Kim Hoorweg (frontwoman of the feminist punk band VULVA from Rotterdam), who wanted to write an album about her personal struggles. No light fare in view of the range of topics from body dysmorphia and gender dysphoria to unwanted pregnancy, the patriarchy and apartheid through to witch trials and the renewed resurgence of fascism – the album title says it all and it is completely out of the question to view „I Hope This Hurts“ as apolitical.

The conceptual content is omnipresent, and that is a good thing, because the topics addressed could do with even more attention in the metal scene as well. It therefore seems only consistent that „I Hope This Hurts“ is the first release on the newly founded label Killjoy Sanctuary, set up by Hoorweg and the GGGOLDDD musicians Thomas Sciarone and Milena Eva – very much also a statement regarding the label’s general orientation.

Musically, the debut by the group, which has now become a full-fledged band, is just as tough a proposition as it is in terms of content: elements of black metal, post-hardcore and post-metal take turns and are occasionally interrupted by atmospheric, quiet parts. All of this is arranged in an exceptionally clever way, and thanks to the renowned Tonmeisterei it is produced in a gritty but powerful manner and, despite all its heaviness and emotional intensity, remains pleasantly accessible thanks to an appropriate dose of melody. Anyone who likes bands such as OATHBREAKER, PREDATORY VOID or PHANTOM WINTER is unlikely to be disappointed.

What is remarkable about „I Hope This Hurts“ is the density of guitar riffs with hit potential, and that applies without exception to all the songs. Vocally, everything is represented from screeches to growls and shouts – pretty much everything the subgenres mentioned have to offer – but Hoorweg also manages to convince in the quiet moments, such as the first few minutes of „Hereditary“. Above all, however, the spoken-word piece „My Body Is A Machine“, accompanied by acoustic guitar, halfway through the album.

With a running time of around 45 minutes, TEARDRINKER’s debut does not drag at any point thanks to the qualities mentioned and remains exciting and entertaining at every moment, thanks to the creative and genuinely fresh songwriting. You can just tell that the band is really into what they’re presenting here. In terms of attitude and share of blast beats not dissimilar to WITCH CLUB SATAN, „I Hope This Hurts“ is an absolute must-hear this year for post-metal fans (including all the adjacent genres mentioned) with a „left-green scum“ basic attitude – and certainly a hot contender for album of the year.

Publiziert am 12. November 2026 von Stephan Gossen