photos by Matt Bass
Decibel Magazine is hosting an early exclusive stream of Time Under Tension, the third album by Boston doom/metal quartet KARATE STEVE, ahead of its release this Friday.
KARATE STEVE’s Time Under Tension delivers nine tracks of thunderous metal, with parts both chaotic and straightforward, stacked with groove and grit, and made to be played at a crushing level of volume. The band returned to Boston music scene luminary Alex Allinson at The Bridge Sound & Stage (Lesotho, Miracle Blood, The Freqs, Bedtimemagic) – who manned the boards for the previous release, and again helped the band realize their vision, almost acting as a fifth member – after which Time Under Tension was mastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering (Unsane, KEN Mode, Great Falls).
Guitarist/vocalist Ben Davis reveals, “This record feels like a logical next step for us. No Way Out But Through was written mostly individually during the pandemic, and Time Under Tension was all of us in the same room for the whole writing process, resulting in a more groove oriented, cohesive sounding album without losing the quick cuts and style changes. If you’re a fan of heavy music there’s something on here for you.”
Lose yourself in KARATE STEVE’s groove-heavy Time Under Tension in its entirety early at Decibel Magazine RIGHT HERE.
Time Under Tension will be released digitally this Friday, October 24th with physical versions to follow. Find digital preorders HERE.
KARATE STEVE has been performing live across the Northeast surrounding the album’s release. Following a run of three dates across New York earlier this month, the band plays Wallingford, Connecticut on the day of the album’s release this Friday, with additional upcoming live plans coming together.
KARATE STEVE Live:
10/24/2025 Cherry St Station – Wallingford, CT
Formed in 2015, KARATE STEVE is embodied by guitarist/vocalist Ben Davis, lead guitarist/vocalist Robb White, bassist Earl Brown, and drummer Zach LeWinter. Drawing from a wide array of influences – from ‘90s death metal and hardcore to thrash, sludge, and more – the band’s hybrid of styles culminates into a unified alloy that centers around one thing: The riff. Lyrically, the song content shifts from politics to loss to self-improvement and more, with a commanding vocal delivery that drives the chaotic but cohesive instrumentation. Fans of High On Fire, Mastodon, Chimaira, Arsis, Darkest Hour, and fellow Massachusetts acts Shadows Fall, Unearth, Diecast, and Sam Black Church will all hear something both familiar and motivating in the KARATE STEVE sound.
The band has built up a following across the Northeast US performing alongside regional acts like Gozu, Worshipper, Viqueen, Bedtimemagic, Dwelley, Goblet, and Swamphead, a set at RPM Fest with Weedeater, Moon Tooth, King Parrot, and more, as well as through their two prior albums, Living To Let You Down and No Way Out But Through.
https://karatesteve.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/karatesteveband
https://www.facebook.com/KarateSteveBand