Album Review: Cage Fight – Exuvia (Spinefarm Records)

Cage Fight will release their second studio album, ‘Exuvia’, on May 1st, 2026, via Spinefarm.

I think even the staunchest Cage Fight fan will admit that the band’s self-titled debut album wasn’t exactly boundary pushing, even if the metallised hardcore the band showcased was attention grabbing and not just because of the names involved. There was no denying they were talented, but there was a sense that they might have been holding back.

Well, no more. Cage Fight have returned and this is the album we’ve all been waiting for. Though, chances are that you already know this based off the varied singles we’ve had from the album.

Do you know what it is? They are sounding more confident and their songwriting is reflective of a more cohesive unit. Not only tighter, but refined, focused, and coming with a more authentic edge. The step up is staggering to hear and no-one embodies the progress made better than vocalist Rachel Aspe, who can genuinely be called one of the best modern vocalists in the scene, especially now she’s becoming more comfortable opening up.

Together, they make the finest eye-wateringly heavy, addictively intense hardcore metal, with an exciting twist here and there. Kicking off the album with Confined, which is actually Cage Fight experimenting with industrialised electronica and discombobulated vocals, before exploding into Oxygen, the start of the album slays. The former is so cool, but the latter is three minutes of iconic speed and savagery delivered with a fair amount of vitriol. If you need a track that shows how far this band has come, this isn’t a bad one to start with. Especially as there’s some haunting clean vocals that lead into a grin-inducing breakdown.

It doesn’t get any less intense with Pig and Pick Your Fighter either. The former’s heavy riffs, punchy chorus, and savage vocals are fantastic, and that’s before we get an ending that will warm the heart of every hardcore two-stepper out there. Whereas the latter puts Benighted’s Julien Truchan in a prominent feature and delivers a surprising amount of bounciness, alongside some of Cage Fight’s most extreme moments (pig squeals!?). Both have catchiness, even if the tone is bit more violent and designed for a pit or two.

A big part of this album’s identity comes from the wider range that band is showing off, and this direction becomes even clearer with Un Bon Souvenir. Expanded groove and melody, with expressive clean vocals add variety, even if those hoping for two-step action won’t be left wanting. Especially when it’s followed by the uncomplicated ferocity of Deathstalker, a track with some really noisy drums.

Le Déni proves to be a nice palette cleanser, heightening the sense of drama around the album, and allowing the mind to get ready for what follows. Which just so happens to be a couple of beastly efforts. First, there’s the title track, an extensive and more elaborate effort that flows really well as the tone shifts regularly. Then, there is The Hammer Crush, one of the album’s more straight-forward efforts. Before IHYG (I Hate Your Guts) comes along to remind us of how f**king ferocious Rachael sounds here. It’s been out a while, and yet it still sounds as potent.

How do you top that? By wrapping things up with another wide-ranging listen. It’s Élégie, and it might be the most experimental effort of all. Finding Cage Fight fully embracing melody, crafting dark and moody atmosphere, and delivering a grander structure that makes this one of the album’s standout efforts.

I expected this album to be good, but this good!? Cage Fight have exceeded all expectations, and then some. They’ve not changed their sound, they’ve evolved it and done so with confidence, resulting in something that has album of the year connotations.

Cage Fight – Exuvia Track Listing:

1. Confined
2. Oxygen
3. Pig
4. Pick Your Fighter
5. Un Bon Souvenir
6. Deathstalker
7. Le Déni
8. Exuvia
9. The Hammer Crush
10. IHYG (I Hate Your Guts)
11. Élégie

Links

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