Dance Gavin Dance release 'Pantheon' — Album Review

Recommended tracks: “All the Way Down,” “A Shoulder to Cry On,” “Midnight at McGuffey’s”
Artists you may like: Emarosa, Chiodos, Circa Survive

Dance Gavin Dance released their 11th full-length record today via Rise Records, titled Pantheon. Known for fearlessly pushing boundaries and reinventing themselves with each release, the band stays true to form. The 13-track album proves that Dance Gavin Dance are not only back, but bolder than ever, delivering exactly what fans have been waiting for.

Emerging from a recent period of trauma with the sudden passing of beloved longtime bassist Tim Feerick and the high-profile departure of frontman Tilian Pearson, there was some uncertainty about what path the band would take next. But from the opening track to the final notes, Pantheon makes one thing clear: Dance Gavin Dance are still masters of controlled chaos, and this album is an all-around triumph.

Opening track “Animal Surgery” sets the tone with a slow fade-in before erupting into progressive, angular riffs. It’s the kind of calculated unpredictability the band have built their name on. “Midnight at McGuffey’s” follows with choppy transitions and Will Swan’s signature tapped guitar leads, oscillating between technical aggression and melodic reprieve.

“All The Way Down” leans into the band’s emo and alt-rock influences, featuring a soaring, bittersweet chorus and shimmering guitar textures. It’s a standout for its emotional weight and melodic structure, showing a more introspective side of Dance Gavin Dance without sacrificing intensity.

But the real showstopper might be “A Shoulder to Cry On.” It’s arguably the best track on the album. It channels pure post-hardcore aggression, loaded with frenetic riffs, explosive drumming, and some of Jon Mess’s most unhinged vocal performances to date. It’s cathartic, raw, and unforgettable.

With Pantheon, Dance Gavin Dance prove they’re more than the sum of their past lineups. They’re a band built on reinvention and this isn’t just a return to form; it’s a reshaping of it. By leaning into chaos, embracing vulnerability, and experimenting without apology, Dance Gavin Dance have delivered one of their most daring and dynamic records yet. If this is the sound of a band in transition, then the future of post-hardcore might just lie in the in-between.