The modern Metal scene has seen many names come and go, but one who has stood out fast is Craig Mabbit. Involved in the game since he was a teenager, Mabbit’s trajectory is really quite interesting. Originally a member of blessthefall, Mabbitt was the voice on their first two self-released EPs and their 2007 debut album, Last Walk. Then, around 2007, Mabbitt opted to leave blessthefall, with Beau Bokan stepping in.
From here, Mabbitt went on to form The Word Alive in 2008. Going on to record a self-titled EP with the new project, soon Mabbitt was recruited by Escape the Fate, who were seeking to replace Ronnie Radke, who was battling through personal issues. Unexpectedly, Escape the Fate became a full-time commitment for Mabbitt. Thus, he had to bow out of The Word Alive, ushering in Telle Smith as their new vocalist.
A wild ride, Mabbitt has settled in as the voice of Escape the Fate since that time, recording seven studio albums with the band from 2008’s This War Is Ours to 2023’s Out of the Shadows. Lifting the band to new heights, Escape the Fate has become a well-respected entity on the modern Metal circuit with several highly charted albums. A great place for Mabbitt to be; it seemed he felt there was still some unfinished business, considering the revolving door of bands in the past. So, eager to try something new, he took the initiative to start another side project, this one called Dead Rabbitts. A delightful play on words, Dead Rabbitts came together in 2011 and has been a consistent force in the last fourteen years since.
At this point, more than just a side project, Mabbitt has juggled his work with Escape the Fate and Dead Rabbitts quite well because, since Dead Rabbitt’s 2012 debut EP Edge of Reality, they have released a slew of music. In fact, they put out three more studio albums and one other EP from 2014’s Shapeshifter to 2022’s Rumination. Keeping the band’s identity separate from Escape the Fate, their sound has certainly dangled in the Metalcore realm, but all while doing something different each time out. Now, in 2025, Dead Rabbitts returns with a brand new studio album called REDEFINED.
The fourth overall studio album from Dead Rabbitts, REDEFINED, arrives on March 14, 2025, through Judge & Jury Records and ushers in a new era for the band. With Mabbitt at the forefront, he is joined by Bassist Colton Westerman (who also tours with Scary Kids Scaring Kids), Guitarist Erik “Shredz” Jensen (who has been on bass for Escape the Fate since 2021), and Drummer Blake Bailey (who tours with Keith Wallen and acts as Breaking Benjamin’s drum tech). An extremely solid, experienced lineup, together they offer up a diverse mix of Metal tracks that jump all over the board.
Eleven tracks in total, the album is perfectly titled because much of what it touches on is the idea of rebirth, finding a new purpose, and making the most of it. Produced by the acclaimed Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace, the sonic quality of REDEFINED is both dynamic and relentless at the same time. Dazzling with some interesting textures, there is certainly a heaviness in it all, but the atmosphere, with the inclusion of synthesizers at all at the right moments, is what truly sticks out.
Hard to ignore, it goes right for the throat in the opening with “Artificial Gods,” which paints a vivid picture of a modern world where everyone has lost their souls only to sacrifice them to digital, false idols. Then songs like “T/R/A/P/P/E/D” and “Oxygen” (featuring Fronz of Attila) tackle the frustrations with the world at hand, the games people play with one another’s mind, and being done with the pettiness.
This is while “Crowned Clown” hooks you with a catchy chorus, “Hellscape” (which features Wednesday 13 and Alecia ‘Mixi’ Demner from Stitched Up Heart) grapples with being pushed to the edge before the collaboration with Lauren Babic on “Mistake” really makes an impact. However, you cannot overlook the near Thrash Metal feeling of “Understand” and the nightmarish qualities of “ConsPIRACY.”
Overall, Dead Rabbitts’ REDEFINED is a potent album that blends Electronic, Metalcore, and some straight-up Heavy Metal aesthetics. It is a listen-to that does not grow old and acts as a cathartic release for anyone looking to simplify their lives in a world that has become entirely too complex due to parasitic personalities or the constant digital presence we are all subjected to.
Furthermore, it is also recommended to check out Dead Rabbits this spring when they tour alongside Wednesday 13 and Stitched Up Heart on the There’s No Such Thing As Monsters Tour. A cool bill; make note that Dead Rabbitts recently realized a vision Mabbitt had when initially conjuring the project with a mask debuted in the video for “Mistake.” So, does this mean Dead Rabbitts will potentially be taking the stage donning masks? It is all worth checking out, and Cryptic Rock gives REDEFINED 4 out of 5 stars.
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