I have stared at this album cover for more minutes than I care to admit trying to figure out what the space dude is doing in the graveyard. It is a puzzle and one that I am not any closer to solving. Unlike the album cover, the name Greyhaven is not very colorful. I was not familiar with thembesides being a recent signing to Solid State Records, but that soon changed once “Keep it Quiet” landed on my virtual desk, leading into my deep dive into the Louisville, Kentucky band.
Although Greyhaven may be new to me, they have been around a while. Formed in 2013 in Louisville, they have had a stable lineup for over a decade with Brent Mills on lead vocals, Johnny Muench on bass, Nick Spencer on guitar and Ethan Spray on drums. They have released three full length albums prior to signing with Solid State, bouncing between different record labels. Last year, they released the EP “Stereo Grief,” a teaser before their full length Solid State debut “Keep It Quiet.” Although they began as an abrasive hardcore band, they have since blossomed showcasing a wide range of influences. The question is, are they going to keep it quiet?
No, although they can. This is a pleasantly quirky record that exhibits Greyhaven’s own evolving sonic palette that is quite accessible to fans of the constituent genres. Although the bones are hardcore with intensely harsh yells, the meat is made of post rock, metalcore, and even a dash of R&B in the quieter smokey passages, showing a more expansive musical language than I was expecting. The real ear candy is their great command of rhythm that hooks me even when my skin crawls from the intensity. It’s an oddly addictive album.
“Keep it Quiet” showcases Brent’s vocals well. The album starts in a quiet somewhat funky atmosphere where he sings softly through stunned heartbreak. Once the R&B atmosphere is set, he turns on a dime to harsh screaming. Its painful, but in the right way. As the opener falls into “Shatter and Burst,” we get the melodic choruses that balance out the harshness and gives the opportunity to sing along. But my favorite part of Brent’s vocals is a great command of infectious rhythm. The verse of “Burn A Miracle” and “Cemetery Sun” have an infectious melody through harsh vocals just through the command of rhythm.
Although Brent’s voice holds the spotlight, the rest of the band overflows with energy to make these songs work. Nick’s guitar work is intricate and technical if not melodic, running through mind-spinning knotty riffs and arpeggios, one after the other. It reminds me a bit of August Burns Red. Johnny’s bass work is just as turbulent although providing structure by bridging the guitar and drums. “From the Backseat of A Moving Car” showcases some excellent technical bass work. Ethan’s drum work sets excellent grooves and bustling energy at the right levels for the songs, cementing the group as a single unit. This is best shown in the outros that make use of subtle downshifts in tempo such as on “Burn a Miracle” and “Where the Light Leaves Us.”
The music has a cerebral quality, eschewing the popular rock trends of sugary melodies or all out harshness to navigate through organic shifts of tone and atmosphere. Along the way, I am reminded of other bands/musicians such as Silent Planet, American Arson, Red, Showbread, Lengsel, and Herbie Hancock, all in different spots. The breadth of songwriting driven by adrenaline and others by emotional pondering make for an engaging trip around the album every time. The intricate songs shift through each verse, making each an indivisible work with an intentional outro, giving closure before the next one. The prevailing atmosphere oscillates between melancholic quandary and emotional pain, with a dominant introspective air, which fits the lyrics on this album. The words have a poetic, even esoteric, quality that points to existential puzzling through the lens of emotional tension.
Taking it all in, this is a great artistic album. The cerebral musical elements paired with existential musing through organic genre shifts make for quite an intriguing album that takes a couple of listens to get, and a couple dozen more to unpack. I don’t usually go for post-hardcore, but Greyhaven demonstrates that it can be done in a way to attract the attention of this metalhead. This album is an easy win for fans of post rock and metalcore or for fans of artistic rock bands (e.g., The Smile) who are curious about hardcore.
Rating: 8.5/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – Prelude: Evening Star
2 – Shatter and Burst
3 – Show Me Where You Are
4 – Burn A Miracle
5 – Where The Light Leaves Us
6 – Night In October
7 – Technicolor Blues
8 – Satellite In Love
9 – From The Backseat Of A Moving Car
10 – Diamond To Diamond
11 – Cemetery Sun
Greyhaven is:
Brent Mills – lead vocals
Nick Spencer – guitar
Johnny Muench – bass
Ethan Spray – drums
Release Date: October 10, 2025
Record Label: Solid State Records
Discography:
Cult America (2014)
Empty Black (2018)
The Bright And Beautiful World (2022)
Stereo Grief – EP (2024)
Keep It Quiet (2025)
Social Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp
Video for Prelude: Evening Star/Shatter and Burst
Video for Cemetary Sun
Video for Burn A Miracle