Knocked Loose performing at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas

Knocked Loose | Texas Review | Ralph Arvesen

Knocked Loose performing during the Here Comes the Pain Tour at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on September 17, 2024, with Bryan Garris, Isaac Hale, Kevin Otten, Kevin "Pacsun" Kaine, and Nicko Calderon. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)

For A Tear in the Fabric of Life, Knocked Loose wanted to push boundaries—or perhaps they had no choice. When quarantine disrupted their relentless touring schedule—“we’ve pretty much been on the road nonstop since 2014,” says vocalist Bryan Garris—the band found themselves grounded in early 2020, back home near Louisville, Kentucky, in Oldham County. By June, they had retreated to a cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to focus on crafting a concept album. By late September, recording was complete.

The result is a six-song EP that builds on the themes explored in their 2019 full-length A Different Shade of Blue, while also pushing their sound further. It’s their most ambitious and cohesive work yet, a dynamic mid-length EP that blends new sonic elements with Knocked Loose’s signature heavy, anthemic style.

The EP doesn’t hold back. Its narrative follows a road trip turned tragic: a car crash, a passenger’s death, survivors' guilt, and ultimately, a reunion in the afterlife. Musically, the songs reflect this journey, with each track feeding into the next. The opener, "Where Light Divides the Holler," begins with the eerie sound of a radio tuning in before erupting into a crushing breakdown. The closing track, "Permanent," ends with a devastating climax, fading out in an almost cinematic fashion. Along the way, the EP introduces new elements like droning guitars, radio snippets, and haunting vocal interludes, all while delivering the crushing intensity fans expect from Knocked Loose. It’s hardcore laced with a more pronounced death metal influence, which, as guitarist Isaac Hale explains, was designed to make the sound “more extreme and abrasive.”

That’s no small feat for a band already known for their heaviness. Though they’re still relatively young—Garris, Hale, bassist Kevin Otten, and drummer Kevin “Pacsun” Kaine are all in their mid-to-late twenties—Knocked Loose has been delivering pummeling breakdowns for years. Their discography, which includes Laugh Tracks (2016) and a demo, alongside various singles, is packed with intensity. Each release, including A Tear, has built upon the last, adding more metal elements and emotional depth. As Hale says, “nothing gets taken away.”

With A Tear in the Fabric of Life, Knocked Loose has achieved major growth without straying from their roots. The EP feels like a stress test, pushing the boundaries of what the band can do within six tracks, balancing technical skill and raw power. It’s Knocked Loose at their core—bolder, bigger, and more refined than ever.

Fan reviews:

Amazing experience! They were really good it was my first ever concert and I am really glad I got to see them at my first concert!

Knocked Loose was the very best concert I have been to, I’ve never really been a fan until I went, definitely gonna see them again.

Knocked Loose put on an amazing show, Brian and Isaac are very interactive in getting the crowd moving and hyped, 10/10 show hope to see them many more times!

Amazing show! Can’t say enough good things about the show! The lineup was insane. The stage looked amazing. The crowd was rowdy! Had a great time!

This show was so freaking dope and high energy. Had a killer time in the pit!

Setlist for the show at the Moody Center