Minneapolis band Vial formed in 2019 after meeting through a Tinder post, united by a shared love of 90s punk, indie and grunge. Since then they have built a reputation around sharp riot grrrl attitude and garage punk energy. Their fourth album Hellhound continues the direction they began exploring on their previous releases, leaning further into heavier grunge and post-hardcore influences.
Compared to the 2024 release Burnout, which often felt playful and chaotic, Hellhound arrives with a more aggressive edge. The guitars are thicker, the rhythms punch harder, and the vocals frequently move between sneer and full-on shout. It is clearly a punk record at its core, though hints of grunge and pop still appear throughout.
The opening tracks set the tone quickly. ‘Infected’ comes across raw and slightly abrasive, while ‘Scorpio Moon’ sticks closely to a straightforward punk approach. One of the stronger moments is ‘Creep Smoothie’, built around loud guitars and screaming vocals that push the band’s punk side to the front.
There are a few small shifts in mood along the way. ‘Idle Hands’ carries a faint grunge touch that occasionally recalls Nirvana, though the pace remains punk driven. ‘Sob’ stands out thanks to its fun chord progressions, while ‘Never Been Better’ slows things down slightly with a more pop-leaning structure.
Later in the record, ‘Undermine Me’ hints at a subtle Britpop feel, ‘Blah’ adds a catchy and playful moment, and ‘Puke’ leans back into a slower grunge mood. The album closes strongly with ‘Blood Red’, a track built around bright chords and a big chorus that works well as a final note.
In the end, Hellhound is a solid and energetic punk record with clean production and plenty of attitude. The problem is that it rarely steps outside familiar territory. It is enjoyable while it lasts, but it does not offer much that feels new. Still, if you like straightforward punk with a bit of grunge mixed in, Vial deliver exactly that.
Release date: 6 March 2026 | Label: CandyShop Records | Instagram
Tracklist:
01. Infected
02. Scorpio Moon
03. Creep Smoothie
04. Idle Hands
05. Sob
06. Never Been Better
07. Hellhound
08. Undermine Me
09. Blah
10. Puke
11. Talktalktalk
12. Boredom / Combustion
13. Blood Red