Album Review: Lost Society – Hell Is A State Of Mind (Nuclear Blast)

Finland’s forward-thinking metal trailblazers Lost Society return with their long-awaited new album ‘Hell Is a State of Mind’. Out on March 6th, 2026, via Nuclear Blast.

Exceptionally ambitious, even by this band’s standards, Hell Is a State of Mind showcases another big step forward for Lost Society. Notably, the inclusion of a 40-piece Babelsberg Film Orchestra, which gives the album a rich cinematic sound. Yet it’s not the only notable thing about the album with the four-piece pushing a more metalised tone throughout. Something that reminds me of Avenged Sevenfold a lot of time, especially with the drama, increased use of harmony, bursts of heaviness and speed, energetic soloing, and, of course, the epic symphonic aspects. Hell, there are worse bands to be compared to, right?

Impressively, the album is varied and Lost Society’s ambition stretched way beyond adding an orchestra. They have thought long and hard about how their modern metal sound can be immediately anthemic but have the staying power by being clever, interesting, and layered. This thinking gives us a tight ten tracks which draw from numerous different genres and bends them to the will of a band who are in an incredibly creative place.

No one in the band defines that better that vocalist Samy. Who isn’t just pushing his vocals to new heights here but is often dictating the song direction, the ebb and flow, and the storytelling aspects. The instruments might give it weight but it his vocals that add the exclamation mark. There are so many great examples, but the one-two punch of Afterlife and Blood Diamond will knock many people on their asses. Lost Society perfectly defined in just two tracks.

There are plenty more quality modern metal bangers to found elsewhere though. Modern metal bangers that prove unequivocally that this is an evolved Lost Society and they embody what it means to do your own thing.

Synthetic is a bit of a head banger, Is This What You Wanted is up there as one of the album’s most melodramatic efforts, L’Appel Du Vide is so damn cinematic, and Kill the Light does an incredible job of combining all of this, and so much more. Here, I think the storytelling side of the band is at its brightest. It’s downright theatrical music and I absolutely loved it. Especially as it took the album past the halfway point, something that is not noticed in the slightest. That’s how strong a record it is.

All killer, no filler. That was Lost Society’s approach here and it pays off. I am sure that even the most ardent of detractors will find themselves drawn to it by at least one or two tracks. One of which could very well be the epic No Longer Human and its immense chorus or the nu-infused hyperactive and heavy anthem that is Dead People Scare Me (But the Living Make Me Sick). Two different tracks, but with one notable thing in common, Lost Society’s winning determination to appeal to all. Normally a recipe for disaster, a band as talented as this makes it seem effortless.

All killer, no filler. Wrapped up in with Personal Judas and the title track. So many bands would have kept going, potentially to the detriment of the album’s pace and the energy of the listener, but not Lost Society who finish things up with an infectious bang. Throwing in some really cool synth and a banging guitar solo on the former, and going cinematically huge sounding with the latter. I really dig the hell out of this album.

Lost Society – Hell Is A State Of Mind Track Listing:

1. Afterlife
2. Blood Diamond
3. Synthetic
4. Is This What You Wanted
5. L’appel Du Vide
6. Kill The Light
7. No Longer Human
8. Dead People Scare Me (But The Living Make Me Sick)
9. Personal Judas
10. Hell Is A State Of Mind

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