Nonpoint has been one of the most enduring bands to emerge from the early 2000s Alternative Metal scene. Formed in 1997, it is not outlandish to say that few bands have sustained themselves as long as Nonpoint has without hiatus.
First emerged onto the mainstream in 2000 with the major label debut The Statement, the band has solidified themselves as a force to be reckoned with eleven more studio albums leading into 2018’s X. Also road warriors, Nonpoint has toured and toured again with countless other bands, yet still manage to keep the same level of intensity within their performances all these years later.
Sustaining several lineup changes, through everything, founding members Elias Soriano (vocals) and Robb Rivera (drums) have kept the machine steam rolling forward. Joining them Rasheed Thomas has been on guitar, while Adam Woloszyn has been on bass for over a decade now, meanwhile, Jaysin Zeilstra took over on lead guitar for B.C. Kochmit who had retired from touring in 2019. With this solid lineup Nonpoint has not skipped a beat, continues to tour, releasing the Rutheless EP in 2021, but now preparing to release their latest EP on Friday, November 17, 2023.
Entitled Heartless, the new collection of songs consists of 5 tracks; 3 of which have been out for a large part of 2023 already. The 3 already out there – “A Million Watts, “Heartless,” and “Paper Tigers” – all possess a similar high level of energy. Starting at the beginning, “Paper Tigers” first emerged in September of 2022. A track that is reminiscent of early Nonpoint, it is about having no fear and not letting others intimidate you. A powerful message, “Heartless,” with its very cleverly crafted Wizard of Oz metaphoric theme, arrived next in February, also hitting quite hard. Finally, “A Million Watts” popped up in July, and it is perhaps the most party-like and catchy of the bunch. Moreover, it features a great, must watch music video with Soriano reenacting the classic Maxell cassette tape commercial from the ‘80s.
Which leaves us with two more tracks – “Golden Gloves” and “Wannabe King.” First, “Golden Gloves,” was recently announced as the EP’s forth single and is very much full of the same energy as the other tracks. This is while “Wannabe King” is perhaps the most melodic of the bunch, yet still massively heavy.
In all, Nonpoint prove that they still have a fire in their bellies to stand toe to toe with any upstart band out there today. You cannot help but feel these tracks are a battle cry against know-it-alls, but also the weak-minded state of modern society. Overall, if you are looking for hard and heavy Nonpoint, these tracks are for you. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Heartless 4 out of 5 stars.
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