Entheos – Empty on the Inside (Album Review)
Release date: 23 October 2026
Record label: Metal Blade Records
The Riff Doctor's Score: (8/10)
RRRRRRRRRR
Diagnosis
Entheos have traded surgical precision for something rawer, heavier and more human. With a formidable new line-up and a renewed sense of purpose, Empty on the Inside proves that sometimes the best way forward is to strip everything back.
Best Tracks: The Earth Will Move, Hell Is a Part of Me, Pale Faith
Deep Cuts: Hollow, Call My Name, Never Let Me Go
The Full Review
For almost a decade, vocalist Chaney Crabb and multi-instrumentalist Navene Koperweis have been the creative driving force behind Entheos, establishing themselves as one of the most forward-thinking acts in modern extreme metal. Their ability to combine extraordinary technical proficiency with a constant desire to evolve has always set them apart.
But Empty on the Inside marks a significant turning point.
With guitarists Scott Carstairs (Fallujah) and Michael Stancel (Allegaeon) joining the fold, alongside the return of bassist Evan Brewer, Entheos have evolved into a fully realised collective. And rather than pushing further into the hyper-produced territory of contemporary metal, they've taken a different route, embracing the raw, visceral and organic spirit of the 1990s.
Produced alongside Mark Lewis and mastered by Justin Sturtz at Sterling Sound, the album strikes a balance between technical virtuosity, memorable melodies and an emotional weight rooted in grief and personal transformation.
Less Polish, More Punch
Opening track "Hell Is a Part of Me" wastes no time establishing this new direction. Crabb moves effortlessly between devastating gutturals and melodic passages, while the band delivers a direct, organic groove that feels refreshingly unrestrained.
The title track takes that initial aggression and channels it into a darker, industrial atmosphere, with shifting rhythms and unpredictable arrangements reflecting the album's underlying themes of loss and emotional turmoil.
There's a remarkable sense of chemistry throughout. "Hollow" eases the initial intensity without sacrificing complexity, allowing Evan Brewer's exceptional bass work to shine before reaching an abrupt, powerful conclusion.
"Call My Name" explores a more accessible side of Entheos, moving between crushing heaviness and moments of genuine melancholy. It's one of the album's most interesting contrasts, demonstrating that melody doesn't have to come at the expense of impact.
Meanwhile, "Golden Crown" reaches back to the early days of nu-metal, with Carstairs and Stancel taking centre stage through thick, commanding riffs that give the song a particularly infectious energy.
Finding Beauty in the Brutality
The album's emotional depth becomes increasingly apparent on "Undone". Opening with atmospheric synthesizers and Crabb's restrained clean vocals, the song gradually builds towards passages of overwhelming heaviness. It's a reminder that Entheos are just as capable of creating tension through subtlety as they are through sheer force.
"Tomblight" continues the exploration of more organic textures, bringing the rhythm section into sharper focus. Koperweis delivers a particularly commanding performance behind the kit, giving the track a physical, almost live quality.
Then comes "Pale Faith", arguably one of the album's strongest moments. Here, Entheos fully embrace their progressive instincts, combining intricate instrumental arrangements with one of Crabb's most ferocious vocal performances. Every member contributes to a constantly shifting composition that showcases the band's technical brilliance without losing its sense of purpose.
The closing stretch is equally compelling. "Never Let Me Go" offers a more intimate and emotionally charged performance, with Crabb's voice carrying much of the song's dramatic tension.
Finally, "The Earth Will Move" brings everything together. Drawing once again from the raw intensity of the 1990s, the track builds towards a furious, emotionally devastating conclusion, providing the album with a fitting final statement.
A New Chapter for Entheos
Empty on the Inside feels like more than another chapter in the Entheos catalogue. By opening up their creative process and embracing the chemistry of a complete band, Crabb and Koperweis have given their music a different kind of strength.
The technical brilliance remains, but there's a newfound emphasis on authenticity, emotional expression and the simple power of musicians playing together.
Not every moment reaches the same heights, but the overall result is a cohesive, mature and deeply personal record that signals an exciting new direction for the American outfit.
Entheos haven't abandoned their complexity. They've simply found something more human beneath it.
Jaime Gomez for The Riff Collective
Comments