Deadguy Unleashes Fury with “New Best Friend” Music Video Ahead of ‘Near-Death Travel Services’ Album Release
Deadguy, the infamous metalcore pioneers, are back with a vengeance, unleashing their new single "New Best Friend" alongside a blistering music video. This track is the second offering from their highly anticipated sophomore album, Near-Death Travel Services, set to drop on June 27th via Relapse Records. After a 30-year hiatus, Deadguy is proving they're not just back – they're back with a vengeance and a sound as potent and deranged as ever.
The new track immediately follows up on the heels of the album's first single, "Kill Fee," and it continues to showcase the band's signature blend of angular riffs, fractured rhythms, and Tim Singer's unmistakable vocals. The new single is a relentless four-minute assault that is sure to whip music fans and metalheads into a frenzy.
According to the band, Near-Death Travel Services is an inside joke, a reflection on their experiences touring and continuing to create music despite being “past their prime.” But rest assured, this album is no swansong. From the opening scream, it's a merciless chaos that has been sorely missed. The album sees the band digging deeper into their signature sound, expanding their songs, and giving Tim Singer even more room to demonstrate why he's remains one of the best vocalists in extreme music.
A brief history of Deadguy: formed in New Jersey, the quartet quickly made a name for themselves in the emerging metalcore scene with their early releases like “White Meat” and “Work Ethic.” Their debut LP, Fixation On A Coworker, released in 1995, became a landmark album, inspiring a generation of bands and earning its place in Decibel’s Hall of Fame in 2006. Despite their impact, Deadguy's original run was short-lived, ending after only three years. After disbanding, members went on to form Kiss it Goodbye.
A 2021 documentary, Killing Music, sparked a reconciliation and subsequent live shows, reigniting the creative spark. Despite geographical challenges, families, and the demands of adult life, the band pushed forward, creating Near-Death Travel Services through sheer force of will. Drummer Dave Rosenberg, who took on guitar duties during this period, cited King Crimson and Testament as influences, while also acknowledging the unique chemistry that emerges when the band comes together. “What Crispy (guitar) has always said is that this is just what it sounds like when we play together.”
To ensure the album stayed true to Deadguy's distinctive sound, the band enlisted Steve Evetts, the producer behind Fixation On A Coworker. Recorded over several months, the 11 songs that made the cut promise to deliver the uncompromising intensity that defined Deadguy. The band’s feelings about the upcoming release can be summed up with the assessment: “We made a fucking Deadguy record.”
Near-Death Travel Services Tracklisting:
- Kill Fee
- Barn Burner
- New Best Friend
- Cheap Trick
- The Forever People
- War With Strangers
- Knife Sharpener
- The Alarmist
- The Long Search for Perfect Timing
- All Stick & No Carrot
- Wax Princess
See them live:
- June 14 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Monarch (Rich Hall Memorial Show)
- July 12 Garwood, NJ – Crossroads (Record Release Show)
What do you think of Deadguy's return? Share your thoughts and memories of Deadguy in the comments below. Will Near-Death Travel Services live up to the legacy of Fixation On A Coworker?
