Converge have certainly been a busy bunch. Having released their latest album Love Is Not Enough in February 2026, which we reviewed, they have already lined up a second record for 2026.
If you don’t know who Converge are, let us introduce them. Hailing from Salem, Massachusetts, Converge are a four-piece who formed in 1990, with Jacob Bannon on vocals, Kurt Ballou on guitar, Nate Newton on bass and Ben Koller on drums. Their music spans metalcore, hardcore punk and heavy metal.
Hum of Hurt arrives on 5th June 2026 via Epitaph/Deathwish, across 10 tracks. It was recorded and mixed by Kurt Ballou at GodCity in Salem, Massachusetts, with engineering assistance from Zach Weeks. Bannon and renowned UK artist Thomas Hooper collaborated on the album artwork.
Hum of Hurt is distinct from Love Is Not Enough, but just as volatile and potent. Bannon is clear it stands on its own: “It’s not a sequel… To me, it leans more into being an emotional hardcore album, while Love Is Not Enough feels more metal leaning album.”
The band released title track ‘Hum of Hurt‘ on 1st April 2026, with second single ‘Doom in Bloom‘ following on 5th May 2026.
Well, what can we say? This album is so raw, powerful and full of emotion. The band describe it as an emotional hardcore album, and what a perfect description it is. This has to be the most brutal and hardcore album we’ve heard in 2026 so far, and we’re definitely not complaining! Screeching guitar riffs, heavy basslines, explosive and fast drums, guttural and powerful vocals: what more could you ask for? As usual, there are a few tracks we want to highlight as our favourites.
Firstly, ‘It Only Gets Worse‘ is so brutal, and not just in the title. The music itself backs it up, and you hear the emotion in the vocals, pulling you in tighter as you keep listening.
‘I Won’t Let You‘ starts off a little lighter, but then all of a sudden you’re hit with that hardcore energy and rawness. Guttural vocals fill the track, with screeching guitar riffs throughout.
‘It Used to Matter‘ has no lyrics but still carries that hardcore energy within the music. It is a little slower than the other tracks, but you can tell it’s still full of emotion and rawness when you listen closely.
Lastly, ‘Hum of Hurt‘ says it all. As the title track, it holds so much emotion and passion. You can hear it in the vocals and the music itself, and it keeps you hooked and wanting more.
The whole album is one we would recommend to anyone who likes brutal, hardcore bands. If you’re interested in hearing Converge, go and listen to them.
Converge are on tour across the UK and Europe:
25 June: Jera on Air, Ysselsteyn, NL
26 June: Superbowl of Hardcore, Rennes, FR
27 June: Outbreak Festival, Manchester, UK
28 June: Kavka Zappa, Antwerp, BE ^
29 June: Essigfabrik, Cologne, DE ^
1 July: Obscene Extreme Festival, Trutnov, CZ
2 July: Arena, Vienna, AT ^
3 July: Circolo Magnolia, Milan, IT ^
4 July: Resurrection Fest, Viveiro, ES
Dates marked ^ are with Heriot, Boneflower and Crouch.
