Album Review :
Pipe Bomb - Hell Hole

After releasing 2024’s Stomp to much acclaim, Pipe Bomb has been building tons of hype and excitement, culminating with the now-infamous golf-cart incident at Audiofeed 2026. If you don’t know, look it up. For those who don’t know, Pipe Bomb is essentially Mitchell Layton handling all instruments, writing, and vocals. Recent live shows have featured members of Plead the Widow’s Cause (and Layton has also been returning the favor by playing with PTWC for live shows.)

But what about the music on Hell Hole? On social media, the band is being hailed as “the second coming of The Chariot,” a title Layton humbly denies. Others have joined in, claiming the comparison is unfair and to let Pipe Bomb’s music speak for itself. Do these East Cost punks live up to the hype?

One thing that is refreshing, and immediately apparent, is that Pipe Bomb aren’t copying any particular band’s style. Their specific angle on hardcore is certainly of the noisy/chaotic variety, which is too-often overlooked in the Christian scene. Shorter, faster songs are the norm (only 2 songs on the album run past the 3-minue mark), and yet this is neither moshcore, nor youth crew in style.

At the same time, there are no crazy, irregular or complex time signatures, just atypical rhythms within a 4/4 setting, and plenty of tempo changes. While comparisons to The Chariot are appropriate, other points of references include Norma Jean, and even Thirty Called Arson. The tempos and phrasing on “Tabloid” remind me somewhat of The Crucified’s classic “The Insult Circus.”

Layton’s lyrical approach is refreshing as well in that he has found creative ways to express his Christian faith that are neither cliché, nor soft. For instance, “I Will Kill the Worst Parts of Myself” refers to dying to oneself in Christ. While some listeners may be put off by the perceived ‘violent’ imagery, it does make the point quite strongly and succinctly. Opening track “Under God’s Heel” is a passionate declaration of living for Christ instead of the enemy:

If the devil wants me dead
He’ll have to kill me himself
Because I’m living to spit his will
On this side of the ground
…
No love, no mercy under God’s heel
No mercy under God’s heel

The somewhat ironically titled “Straight Edge Hate” is actually a song of dedication to clean living; the hatred is aimed at the poison that so easily ensnares:

Never a crutch for me
Straight edge hate
Till I’m dead

Lyrically, the band’s approach takes me back to xDeathstarx, who found creative, poignant ways to talk about faith and life, but through a lens that is specific to hardcore.

As bright and hot as Pipe Bomb is burning, I can only hope that their fire doesn’t burn out too quickly. It’s hard not to get excited about this band.

Unfortunately, the first vinyl pressing is already sold out, but there was a small batch of CDs pressed, and of course, streaming and downloads are available via Bandcamp.