Hardcore trailblazers Knocked Loose have unleashed their blistering new single, "Hive Mind", a high-octane collaboration with acclaimed rapper Denzel Curry. The track, which seamlessly fuses metalcore aggression with trap intensity, marks a significant moment for both artists.
Described as "exhilarating", "Hive Mind" features Curry diving in from the second verse with a "bombardment of lyrics" that powerfully complement frontman Bryan Garris’ distinctive vocals. This relentless sonic assault is accompanied by an equally visceral video, co-directed by Eric Richter and Garris, filmed at Louisville's David Armstrong Extreme Park.
The highly anticipated team-up was first teased through a creative Instagram video earlier this week, showcasing a DJ at a skatepark unveiling a record listing both artists and the track. This immediate buzz only amplified the excitement for what Garris revealed was a long-held ambition for the Kentucky five-piece.
Addressing the genesis of the collaboration, Garris stated, "This is something we've talked about doing for a long time. We wondered if we could pull it off and who would be down. In the very beginning, we said for it to work, it would have to be Denzel Curry. Because he gets it."
"Hive Mind" follows the band's acclaimed 2024 album, 'You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To', which notably featured the Grammy-nominated Poppy collaboration, "Suffocate". This earlier partnership demonstrated Knocked Loose's willingness to experiment and push their sound.
Reflecting on the Poppy collaboration, Garris told NME, "We realised that it was a curveball for a lot of our listeners. So, our way to balance that was to make this song insane, to the point where you’re laughing at how heavy some of these breakdowns are." He affirmed the band's unwavering commitment to their core identity, adding, "There’s been a lot of processing of how amazing some of these moments have been. But there’s never been any conversation about lightening up. We’re a heavy band and we’re always going to be a heavy band."
Garris further emphasized their resolve: "If anything, that attention makes us want to double down. We see people reacting positively to all of this chaos that we’re introducing to our sound and we get inspired by that feedback, inspired by past extremes working. That’s how it will stay."
The "Hive Mind" Blueprint: Doubling Down on Chaos
The release of "Hive Mind" with Denzel Curry isn't just another collaboration; it's a profound statement from Knocked Loose. It solidifies their artistic trajectory, confirming that their forays into diverse genres, as seen with Poppy, are not about dilution but rather intensification. By choosing Curry – an artist revered for his lyrical prowess and genre-bending tendencies – Knocked Loose once again demonstrates their strategic intelligence in expanding their sonic palette without compromising their brutal core.
This partnership is a blueprint for how heavy bands can evolve in the modern landscape. Instead of softening their edges for broader appeal, Knocked Loose amplifies their signature chaos, drawing in new audiences by sheer force of innovation and uncompromising heaviness. "Hive Mind" serves as compelling evidence that their commitment to being a "heavy band" is a promise, not a threat, propelling them further into the mainstream while maintaining their artistic integrity.
Following a successful UK and European tour last year, Knocked Loose is set to return to Europe this summer, supporting titans like Metallica and Bring Me The Horizon. They are also slated for major festival appearances including Slam Dunk Festival and Primavera Sound, alongside US dates at Sick New World in Las Vegas and a stop in Dallas.
