photos by Matt Bass
Boston, Massachusetts-based riff-driven metal quartet KARATE STEVE will drop their third album, Time Under Tension, on October 24th, today issuing preorders and more alongside the record’s first preview, “Gentrifier.”
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.
KARATE STEVE now delivers their third album Time Under Tension. The nine tracks unload a nearly-thirty-minute wall 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).
The first preview of the album arrives with “Gentrifier.” With it, the band writes, “‘Gentrifier’ was actually the first song we wrote for Time Under Tension. Lyrically it addresses the never-ending wave of gentrification that is sweeping through Boston, making it impossible for artists to stay here, or play here, as the smaller venues continue to die. Musically, it’s a pretty good representation of our bag of tricks, with the guitar harmonies, breakdowns, and crazy riffs a plenty, and it sets the tone for the rest of the record nicely.”
Listen to KARATE STEVE’s Time Under Tension track “Gentrifier” everywhere including Bandcamp HERE and other digital platforms HERE.
Time Under Tension will be released digitally on October 24th with physical versions to follow. Find digital preorders HERE. A video from the album and more will drop over the weeks ahead.
Time Under Tension Track Listing:
1. Martyr
2. Time Under Tension
3. Gentrifier
4. Suffer To Survive
5. Brothers
6. Dopamine
7. Third Kind Of Fucked
8. Interlude
9. Sleepwalker
KARATE STEVE will be delivering their new tracks to fans across the Northeastern states surrounding the album’s release, with shows in September and October booked and more coming together.
KARATE STEVE Live:
9/07/2025 Moon Base One – Salem, MA
10/02/2025 Lucky 13 – Brooklyn, NY
10/03/2025 ask a punk – Potsdam, NY
10/04/2025 ask a punk – Utica, NY
10/24/2025 Cherry St Station – Wallingford, CT
https://karatesteve.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/karatesteveband
https://www.facebook.com/KarateSteveBand