Review: Benjamin Coe
It’s been a long time between drinks for Florida heavyweights Poison The Well, and after their announcement of an indefinite hiatus in 2010, many thought we had seen the last of the influential crew. But here we are, 16 years later, revelling in a newly reformed and reinvigorated Poison The Well, and time has done nothing to quell the fire in their bellies.
After dropping the new single “Trembling Level” in 2025, the internet was abuzz with rumours of a full-length album on the way. It wouldn’t be until just under 12 months later that those rumours were confirmed, with the official announcement of the very album fans had been hoping for. Now it’s finally here: Peace In Place, the long-awaited follow-up to the 2009 release The Tropic Rot.
Seventeen years is a long time to wait, and some might argue that a band absent for so long couldn’t possibly have the same impact they once did, but make no mistake, Poison The Well are back and they sound as vital as ever, if not better.
Peace In Place opens softly, with vocalist Jeffrey Moreira delivering a haunting a cappella intro on “Wax Mask” before the band explodes into their signature blend of thrashing guitars and crushing rhythms. Lead guitarist Ryan Primack tears through the opening moments with precision and intensity, reminding listeners exactly why he remains one of the genre’s finest, while drummer Chris Hornbrook locks in with newly recruited bassist Noah Harmon to form a relentless and powerful rhythm section.
The galloping riff of lead single “Thoroughbreds” is instantly gripping, while the melodic chorus of “Everything Hurts” provides a striking contrast to its chaotic spoken-word verses. Every element here lands with purpose: Moreira’s vocals shift effortlessly between haunting melody and raw aggression, Primack’s guitar work is once again exceptional, and Hornbrook’s punishing drumming continues to set a high bar within the scene.
The true strength of the album, however, lies in its consistency. Poison The Well have always excelled at crafting cohesive records, and while each release explores its own sonic identity, their catalogue has consistently delivered front-to-back intensity.
Peace In Place is no exception. From the driving energy of “A Wake of Vultures” to the unrelenting force of “Bad Bodies,” this is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a definitive statement that Poison The Well are back, focused, and ready to reclaim their place.
PEACE IN PLACE – OUT NOW
https://ffm.to/peaceinplace
