After a longer-than-anticipated stretch in the shadows, Abbotsford’s own 3rd Deck returns with ‘The Fallout’. This five-track dispatch marks a new chapter in the band’s trajectory. While their previous outings hinted at their knack for gritty hooks and alt-rock influence, this latest EP deepens the palette and sharpens the edges.
Right from the opening song ‘FallOut’, the EP feels like a band pushing their boundaries without losing their core identity. The fingerprints of ’90s alternative are still etched into the guitars- crunchy, melodic, and emotionally loaded- but layered now with moodier textures and more intricate structures. There’s a broader atmosphere here, a willingness to explore the murkier corners of their sound. Moments echo the icy tension of post-punk while others play with the theatricality of progressive and art-rock without veering into indulgence.
What stands out most is the sense of growth- each track seems to know exactly where it wants to go. Whether it’s a soaring chorus or a slow-building bridge, The vocals carry a deeper emotional weight, occasionally raw, often defiant, but always grounded in something real.
For fans of their earlier work, ‘The Fallout’ you will find a continuation of the familiar grit but the EP is also a step into wider territory. This is a band unafraid to let go of formulas and trust their instincts, and the result is their most cohesive and compelling release to date.
With word that they’re already heading back into the studio, the promise is clear: 3rd Deck have hit their stride, and they’re not slowing down. If ‘Caution’ was the ignition, ‘The Fallout’ is the firestorm.