For Faced Out, At Eternity’s Edge doesn’t just represent a new full-length—it marks a turning point. The Spanish metallic hardcore band’s latest LP feels sharper, heavier, and more assured than anything they’ve done before, and that evolution was very much intentional.
“We really just wanted to step up from our previous record in all aspects,” bassist Joey Rodríguez explains to No Echo. “There was so much room for improvement. We wanted a record that sounded harder and had more of its own personality rather than just being a ’90s tribute band.”
That desire to evolve was shaped as much by circumstance as it was by ambition. Their previous material came together under less-than-ideal conditions, with lineup changes and the long shadow of the COVID lockdown looming over the process. “The composition and recording process dragged on for way too long, mostly in isolation,” says Joey. “We were all broke back then and didn’t have any band funds either, coming straight out of two years with no shows.”
The result was a handful of tracks that, by their own admission, leaned too heavily on obvious influences. “That led us to home-record a couple of tracks that were part overthought and part too obvious tributes, using whatever little means we had,” Joey admits.
By contrast, At Eternity’s Edge came together in a way that felt almost traditional. Regular rehearsals, a stable lineup, and money earned the old-fashioned way—by grinding it out on the road—gave the band the space to fully shape the songs together. “We all are much more stable in life now,” says the bassist. “We had plenty of cash together from all the shows we did all over the place in 2023 and 2024, so we could afford to record in an actual studio this time.” Joey credits Iván at Kollapse Studio for helping capture that focus and intensity properly.
Musically, Faced Out remain deeply rooted in the late-’90s and early-’00s European metallic hardcore tradition, but 'At Eternity’s Edge' feels less like a homage and more like a statement of identity. That connection to the era comes naturally. “Most of us were metalheads in our youth that somehow found our way into hardcore through our local scene,” Joey explains. “This style is the perfect crossover for a kid that grew up on Slayer, Pantera, or Sepultura but loved the energy of a hardcore show.”
European bands like Arkangel and Reprisal weren’t just influences—they were proof that this hybrid sound could exist on their own terms. “We liked that there were European bands that trademarked this kind of metal/hardcore fusion, so it feels more authentic to us,” Joey says. Rather than repeating themselves, they saw this album as a chance to build forward. “Instead of putting out the same record over and over again, we wanted to evolve our own style based on that foundation.”
That evolution carries through lyrically as well. Where earlier releases leaned outward, At Eternity’s Edge turns inward, channeling frustration, anxiety, and anger into something more personal. “The lyrics are somewhat more introspective and personal than our previous work,” Joey tells No Echo. “We tried to write about things that affected us firsthand or felt important to address, channeling negative energy in the most honest way possible without getting too edgy.”
Each song tackles a distinct theme: “Compounding Sickness” deals with alienation of the self, “Saudade” explores yearning for an over-idealized past, “Wretched Ascension” confronts the machinery of the war economy, and “Macabre Intent” dives into the primitive, violent impulses triggered by inner rage. Together, they form a bleak but deliberate emotional arc.
Operating out of Spain—specifically the country’s northwestern edge—has shaped Faced Out just as much as their influences. The band is realistic about the challenges. “You don’t have the same starting point as a band from the US or the UK,” Joey explains. “You have to grind twice as hard just to get noticed.”
Geography doesn’t help either. Surrounded by ocean to the north and west, touring often means long, punishing drives just to reach the rest of Europe. “Crossing central Spain already takes up an entire day just to reach France’s southwestern border.”
Still, Faced Out have refused to let that slow them down. Over the past three years, they’ve taken time off work, rented vans, and logged countless hours on the motorway to make sure the band exists beyond their immediate region. “At the end of the day it depends on your will,” they state plainly.
“If your band is good, if you know your way around, and if you’re willing to put in the work, you will get noticed regardless of where you’re from—even if you have to grind harder than someone who has it easier.”
***
At Eternity’s Edge is available on vinyl via The Coming Strife Records.
Faced Out on social media: Instagram
Tagged: faced out
