Out July 17, 2026
Via Equal Vision/ Civilians
Words by: Annette Geneva
Quicksand have never been interested in shouting over everyone else. While the rest of heavy music scene often competes to be faster, louder or more technically impressive, Walter Schreifels and company have always understood that tension can be just as powerful as release.
Coming out of New York’s early ‘90s hardcore scene, comparisons to Fugazi have always felt inevitable. I understand why they’re made, but I’ve never thought they told the full story. Even with Schreifels’ history in Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand continue to occupy their own space in the scene. Their sound leans equally into groove, aggression, melody and abrasion, creating something that has aged on its own terms rather than living in another band’s shadow.
More than three decades after they first emerged, that approach still feels remarkably contemporary. While countless acts from the post-hardcore boom have become nostalgia pieces, Quicksand continue to evolve without abandoning the qualities that made them so influential in the first place.
Quicksand continue to move forward with remarkable purpose. Bring On The Psychics isn’t interested in recapturing the past. I feel like reviewing long standing bands always taps into a look back on their previous releases, I’m trying to avoid that here.
That feels fitting for a band who have spent more than three decades influencing generations of musicians without ever chasing the spotlight themselves. You can hear Quicksand echo across modern post-hardcore, alternative metal and even progressive rock, yet they’ve always occupied their own lane.
From the opening moments, Bring On The Psychics carries the unmistakable DNA that has made Quicksand such an enduring force. Sergio Vega’s bass doesn’t simply underpin the songs and he did play with Deftones for a while, there is a nod to them in his bass tones. It drives them, giving each track a restless momentum while Walter Schreifels layers angular riffs that feel both familiar and freshly sharpened. Alan Cage remains one of alternative music’s most underrated drummers, understanding that groove can hit just as hard as speed. His beat creates space, allowing every guitar scrape and rhythmic shift breathe rather than collapsing into a wall of distortion. I really appreciate this, it’s rare for a band of such caliber to not just drown themselves in over-polish or too many effects.
The album’s singles Get To It and Regenerate perfectly encapsulate where Quicksand are in 2026. The former is immediate, driven by muscular riffs that recalls their early years without sounding trapped inside them. The latter leans into the band’s melodic instincts, balancing introspection with catharsis in a way only Quicksand seem capable of. Schreifels has never relied on vocal theatrics, and that’s part of what makes his delivery so compelling. He sings with conviction rather than volume, allowing the emotional weight of the songs to settle naturally instead of demanding attention. Cool guy is fun and bass heavy song that I probably enjoyed more than many others. Crystallize is one of those songs that is experimental in the best of ways. A bit shoegazy, but also unmistakably gritty and vibing off the 90s grunge. I think this is the one that would surprise long term fans the most, but I absolutely love the tangle-like guitar wails. Incredibly fitting. Supercollider for some reason only released as a single on Spotify is delightfully heavy, I think it would be incredible to see played live.
Throughout the record there is a fascinating push and pull between tension and release. Riffs grind against melodic passages before opening into unexpectedly spacious moments, creating songs that reward repeated listens. Every spin uncovers another guitar texture, another rhythmic turn, another subtle melodic thread hiding beneath the surface. It’s an album that refuses to reveal everything at once. I definitely recommend listening to it start to finish to understand the growth and the impact of the closing track.
Title track surprisingly does not summarise the album at all, it’s very multidimensional. It is curious why the song wasn’t one of the 5 singles released as it is arguably the best song on this record, to me at least. Maybe it’s the best kept secret of the record.
What has separated Quicksand from many of their contemporaries is a bit of a tease and pull back. They understand that heaviness isn’t measured by how low the guitars are tuned or how aggressively a chorus is delivered. Sometimes the heaviest moments are the ones that hold back. A suspended chord. A bass line that lingers just long enough. A drum fill that resists the obvious choice. That philosophy runs through Bring On The Psychics, giving the album an emotional weight that extends far beyond its runtime.
There’s also something incredibly refreshing about hearing a veteran band who still sound curious. Rather than chasing trends or attempting to recreate Slip or Manic Compression, Quicksand continue expanding the language they’ve spent decades developing. They sound comfortable with who they are while remaining unwilling to stand still, a balance that many legacy acts never manage to find.
For longtime fans, Bring On The Psychics would feel like another vital chapter rather than a nostalgic epilogue. For newer listeners discovering the band through the artists they’ve influenced, it’s an ideal reminder of why Quicksand remain one of the most important names in post-hardcore history. This isn’t a victory lap. It’s proof that creative momentum doesn’t have an expiry date.
