Full Breakdown
Boundaries Unveil Fourth Album “Yearning: The Unbeautiful After” Amid Grief and Tour
4/25/2026, 5:10:24 AM
Album Announcement and Core Details
Hartford, Connecticut metalcore outfit Boundaries announced their fourth studio album, Yearning: The Unbeautiful After, slated for release on July 17 2026 via Sumerian Records. The record, produced by Drew Fulk (known for work with Knocked Loose and Fit For A King), comprises 14 tracks and marks the band’s first full-length since signing with Sumerian. The lead single “Skies Cast Amber Black” was followed by a second single, “Death Will Follow Me,” accompanied by an official music video.
Background & Context: Tragedy and Label Signing
The album’s lyrical tone is shaped by a fatal plane crash in early 2025 that claimed the lives of booking agent Dave Shapiro, former *The Devil Wears Prada* drummer Daniel Williams, and Sound Talent Group staff Kendall Fortner and Emma Huke. Boundaries dedicated the record to those victims, noting that the tragedy placed the band “in a state of perpetual mourning.” The release also follows the band’s recent partnership with Sumerian Records, their first major label signing.
Key Figures & Collaborators
- Matt McDougal – vocalist and primary spokesperson.
- Drew Fulk – producer.
- Guest performers: Make Them Suffer (on “Torn Wide Open”) and Landon Tewers of *The Plot In You* (on “Crowned and Crucified”).
- Touring partners: August Burns Red and The Amity Affliction (co-headliners); HEAVENSGATE (opening act).
Track Listing and Musical Highlights
1. Malconscience
2. Skies Cast Amber Black
3. May This Pain Never Leave
4. Torn Wide Open (feat. Make Them Suffer)
5. Bitter Ash, Bitter Love
6. Unequal Whole
7. Death Will Follow Me
8. The Leper’s Bell
9. Crowned and Crucified (feat. Landon Tewers)
11. Evidence of Extinction
12. Nothing, Gathered
14. Yearning: The Unbeautiful After
Official Statements & Responses (Summary)
Vocalist Matt McDougal explained that the album seeks to “plant a flag” for uncompromising heavy music, emphasizing urgency and a return to the genre’s threatening edge. He linked the thematic content to the “unforgivable violence” of the 2025 crash, describing the record as a vehicle for processing grief. McDougal also articulated the philosophical basis of the title, urging listeners to consider how they spend the finite resource of time.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This time last year was one of significant sorrow for this band and many others. The tragic accident that took the lives of our friends so suddenly has since had us in a state of perpetual mourning.” — Matt McDougal, vocalist, Boundaries
- “With the record, we aimed to be uncompromising and really plant our flag. As more time passes, heavy music continues to lose its teeth. This genre is supposed to be threatening; it should have an edge and make you feel something. We tried to create an album with urgency.” — Matt McDougal
- “the title, Yearning, is base level. What do you want from life, relationships, or whatever you spend time on? Time is the only resource with any real value; it’s the only thing you can’t get more of. You should deeply consider anything you choose to spend time on. The subtitle, the unbeautiful after, refers to the eventuality of what you’ve spent your time doing. The main questions are ‘What did you give yourself to? What is important to you? Where did it lead you?’” — Matt McDougal
- “This time last year was one of significant sorrow for this band and many others. The tragic accident that took the lives of our friends so suddenly has since had us in a state of perpetual mourning. The evidence of such and of life’s unforgivable violence is found throughout this newest album. ‘Death will follow me’ merely begins to scratch the surface of this concept and its grief ripples throughout this entire record.” — Matt McDougal
Criticism & Opposition
Fans expressed dissatisfaction with the original mix of “Skies Cast Amber Black,” prompting the band to release an updated version. The response illustrates ongoing dialogue between the group and its audience regarding production choices.
Tour Schedule (Supporting August Burns Red & The Amity Affliction)
- 04/24 Phoenix, AZ – The Marquee
- 04/25 San Diego, CA – Soma
- 04/26 Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
- 04/28 Sacramento, CA – Channel 24
- 04/29 Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House
- 05/01 Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center
- 05/02 Denver, CO – The Fillmore
- 05/03 Omaha, NE – The Astro Theater
- 05/05 Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
- 05/06 Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
- 05/08 Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
- 05/09 Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
- 05/10 Toronto, ON – History
- 05/12 Montreal, QC – Mtelus
- 05/13 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
- 05/15 Baltimore, MD – Nevermore Hall
- 05/16 Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple (August Burns Red & The Amity Affliction only)
- 05/17 Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
Why It Matters / Impact
The album represents a thematic pivot for Boundaries, intertwining personal loss with a broader critique of heavy music’s perceived softening. By dedicating the record to crash victims and emphasizing urgency, the band aims to reaffirm metalcore’s aggressive roots while offering a cathartic outlet for a community still processing tragedy. The concurrent tour amplifies the album’s reach, positioning it as a potential touchstone for the genre’s future direction.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources concur on release date, track list, and the nature of the plane-crash tragedy; no contradictory information was identified.
