On Friday, Jan. 21, Comeback Kid released their seventh studio album via New Damage Records. The aptly titled Heavy Steps is the band’s first release since their 2017 LP Outsider.

The final result is a roaring 32 minutes of Comeback Kid’s signature anthemic, gritty – albeit melodic – hardcore sound.

Hailing from Winnipeg, lead vocalist Andrew Neufeld and lead guitarist Jeremy Hiebert founded Comeback Kid in 2000 alongside former members Kyle Profeta (drums, 2000 to 2014) and Scott Wade (vocals, 2000 to 2006).

From there, Comeback Kid went on to release their debut album Turn It Around in 2003, which was followed by 2005’s Wake the Dead. Shortly after, Wade left the band as they were exploding onto the global hardcore punk scene.

“By the time Scott quit, we were fullsteam touring Europe. That’s when it clicked that we were all very eager to travel and wanted to play in as many places as possible,” Neufeld says.

Having started out as the band’s rhythm guitarist, Neufeld became the frontman after Wade’s departure in 2006 and has remained there ever since.

Heavy Steps is filled with Comeback Kid’s signature hardcore tones, yet the band has managed to add brand new layers to its hardcore musical repertoire.

“We really were focused on making the guitar tones heavier, and with the vocals we tried to be dynamic and add a lot of different layers. It’s a traditional hardcore sound. There’s melodic anthems, but we’re still heavily relying on modern production and new fun plug-ins to play with,” Neufeld says.

However, Comeback Kid has had to face another, albeit unwelcomed, challenge: the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond stretching their creative boundaries in the studio, Neufeld also says the pandemic has forced his band to push the envelope when it comes to performing.

“We’re welcoming of a unique kind of show experience. For us, we have a good time playing. We want to come out of this better, and this (pandemic) gives us that extra kick in the ass to try to do better,” Neufeld says.

Comeback Kid has played a handful of shows for distanced crowds, but the band has managed to keep those performances energetic and hard-hitting.

The band is set to tour Canada in support of Heavy Steps in March and April. Fellow Canadian hardcore heavyweights Cancer Bats will join Comeback Kid for this leg of the tour.

Comeback Kid will kick things off with three shows in Ontario, then play in their beloved Winnipeg on Apr. 15 at the Park Theatre then finish off with two shows in British Columbia before heading to Europe in July.

With the release of Heavy Steps, Comeback Kid fans do not have to worry about the pandemic having any effect on the band. When speaking about the challenges his band has faced throughout the years, Neufeld says Comeback Kid has never quit.

“We’ve never taken a hiatus. If there’s one thing that I’ve been sure of, it’s been this band for a long time,” Neufeld says.

Heavy Steps is a first-rate hardcore album and an affirmation of Comeback Kid’s relentless attitude.

For more information about tour dates, visit comeback-kid.com.

Published in Volume 76, Number 15 of The Uniter (January 27, 2022)