Album Review: Dark Divine – Undead Melody (Thriller Records)

Rising metalcore quartet Dark Divine are back with their brand-new album, ‘Undead Melody’, out May 29th, 2026, via Thriller Records.

A band about to take over the world, Dark Divine know exactly what to do leave an impression on a mainstream metal audience and the result is an anthemic album that will have widespread appeal. I can see and hear that, even if I’m not entirely on board, but that’s not necessarily the fault of Dark Divine. Who deliver a strong record with varied ideas and throw plenty of heart and soul into things.

No, I think it’s the fault of an oversaturated scene.

Is it just me who is struggling to get excited by metalcore these days? Especially modern metalcore that relies heavily on alternative aspects and effects? Structured in such a way that it becomes downright indistinguishable? I don’t think I’m alone in thinking like this, and it inevitably means a band like Dark Divine has to work even harder to impress me and others, but that doesn’t mean they don’t.

I don’t want this to be a negative review, as I do think this album does a ton right, I just needed to explain just why I don’t love it perhaps as much as you. Trust me, plenty of people are going to love this and that is what matters. Dark Divine are already a popular band and this album is only going to help them grow.

Kicking things off with one of their more obvious mainstream focused anthems, Undead Melody. The alternative thinking and effects focused side of the band is on full display here, but the chorus is bloody infectious. Things then get really heavy with Midnight Masquerade, where a bit of experimentation gives Dark Divine a blackened edge, but the breakdown is all anyone will remember in the end, so potent is it. Before Fading Away and Permanent show just how Dark Divine excel at dragging metalcore into the modern era and giving it an injection of anthemic authenticity.

I think you can make up your mind about Dark Divine in the first third of the album as each of these tracks show enough variety and both the best and worst aspects of the band. I’m not saying there’s not more cool stuff to come, but in a world of short attention spans, I think this is the point where haters bugger off and those in love carry on.

Me? I’m reviewing this thing so I’m carrying on regardless, but I’m neither a lover or hater, and that’s not changing with the likes of Better Start Digging, Sinfestation, Temporary Paradise, Halloweentown II, and Freakshow. There’s some really cool stuff going on here, and once again, the immediate word that comes to mind is anthemic. However, dig a bit deeper and you’ll find modern metalcore with a thick vein of emotion running through it. A powerful blend of dramatic, melodious, catchy, and punchy tunes filled with unmistakable authenticity.

The latter part of the record doesn’t change anything, and why would it? The likes of Half Past Dead (Unbury Me) and This Is Not the End (It Only Feels Like It) are expressive anthems through and through. Dark Divine has a winning formula and it’s going to bring in the crowds who will connect to them on a personal level. Although I also suspect local shops are going to run out of eyeliner when they come to town.

Dark Divine – Undead Melody Track Listing:

1. Undead Melody
2. Midnight Masquerade
3. Fading Away
4. Permanent
5. Better Start Digging
6. Sinfestation
7. Temporary Paradise
8. Halloweentown II
9. Freakshow
10. Half Past Dead (Unbury Me)
11. The Void
12. Make Me Disappear
13. This Is Not the End (It Only Feels Like It)

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