Pre-Breaker - Self-Titled
Savagery Records
Released on June 19th, 2026
I remember back in the early 20s when I was sitting with my old pal Justin while he showed me some concept art for his new band’s first EP. This art eventually became the album cover of “The Hunter”, the first EP by the Edmonton-based hard metal band Pre-Breaker. Now, four years later, Pre-Breaker has released their debut, self-titled album.
I’ll be the first to admit it - I’m not the biggest fan of hardcore music. My tolerance for heavy sounds stops at around the point of Coheed and Cambria, but one thing I’ve always loved about Pre-Breaker is its digestible take on hard metal. Whether intentionally or not, this band serves as an amazing start-off point for those looking to get into a heavier genre. It’s for this reason that I had the pleasure to cover “The Hunter’ in a Tasty Jams review several years ago.
For those from the Edmonton area, Pre-Breaker will be seen as the supergroup that they are, blending the iconic guitar riffs of Dexter McHale (Grandpa’s Medicine, Xiphias) and the groovy rhythm of Wes Retzlaff and Jake Hubbard (Knot No Howz), all tied together by the introspective and anti-establishment lyrics of Justin Olson, who provides a raw intensity that matches the rage in his lyrics.
The song, “Turning Cold” takes a look away from the corrupt world around us and focuses inside through its lyrics, “Though things may look very dark / Your dream is not in vain / For where do you find the rainbow? / Only after rain”, which explore the suffering and pain that one must go through in a journey of transformation. This song speaks about losing hope in the world and is, despite the name, the most positive track on the album.
This theme of change and growth is perfectly reflected in the bands overall sound. Pre-Breaker has clearly refined their sound over the last half-decade, with growling vocals and a consistent tone that keeps each song feeling like a part of a larger machine.
This record also features several other bands and artists in the hardcore scene, including Logan Haberman, Iron Discipline, Primal Horde, and False Body. This ensemble of artists really showcases what I love the most about Pre-Breakers approach to the music - they have always held their community with high regard and have since established themselves as a driving force in the scene. Mark my words, it won’t be long until these guys are headlining festivals.
My only real criticism of the album is its length - it’s just too darn short. Not even long enough for an exercise set. Call me greedy, but after my first listen it only left me craving more of their sound. This is why I proceeded to listen to the album another two times over. Although many of the tracks barely reach above three minutes, this is remedied through the final track “Shot in the Face”, which makes it halfway through the four-minute mark.
Overall, Pre-Breaker’s titular album is one hell of a debut. It comes in hard and serves as a cathartic release for those who find themselves troubled by corporate greed, the horror of war, and the police state.
