Drawing from various veins of post-hardcore, the supergroup L.S. Dunes proves with their 2025 sophomore album Violet that their coming together was no accident. Featuring members from My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, Circa Survive, and Thursday, this album doesn’t just voice their shared past—it reveals their shared vulnerability.
Harsh riffs, melodic transitions, emotional intensity... Violet hits like a punch, but holds you like an embrace.
“Fatal Deluxe” – First Contact, First Collision
The opening track strikes like a direct call, driven by Anthony Green’s piercing vocals and Frank Iero’s scorched guitar riffs. The song feels both familiar and new—like reopening an old wound in a different way. More mature, more polished, yet still painful.
“Violet” – The Center That Bears the Name’s Weight
Tackling themes of justice and inner closure, the title track expands through Green’s fragile yet clear vocals. Bassist Tim Payne’s lines and Tucker Rule’s intricate drumming ground the piece in something earthly. It’s not just a title—it’s where the album’s soul gathers.
“Machines” – The Beauty of Simplicity
A song delivered with fewer layers but more emotion. Green’s introspective lyrics search for traces of humanity even within mechanical structures. Perhaps Violet’s quietest scream.
“Paper Tigers” – Where Noise Gains Meaning
With sludge-tinged guitars and a dramatic tempo, this ballad proves L.S. Dunes’ refusal to stay within genre lines. Rule’s drums don’t just carry the song—they give it identity.
“Forgiveness” – The Album’s Final Sentence
Love, regret, acceptance… The album doesn’t end here—it echoes on inside us. Green’s vocals feel like a letter written on the last page of a notebook: personal, yet universal.
The Will Yip Touch – Wrapping Noise in Emotion
Producer Will Yip returns once again, leaving his mark with intricate details and layered sound. Frank Iero and Travis Stever’s guitars don’t just play—they narrate.
Reviews & Reverberations
Kerrang! gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, praising the group’s ability to blend their individual colors into one cohesive sound. On Reddit, Violet is seen as more complete and sincere than their debut. Fans agree: the band has fully found itself.
Violet: Both a Storm and a Shelter
This album is built not just on sound, but on silence too. With Violet, L.S. Dunes carries the echo of their past while leaving a promise for the future. By merging post-hardcore’s thrilling bursts, grunge’s aching melancholy, and indie rock’s elegance, they transform our inner chaos into melodic order.
Some albums scream. Some just look you in the eye. Violet manages to do both.
