Humanity has a remarkable talent for creating its own problems. We build systems designed to make our lives easier, only to discover that those very systems restrict, divide, or even work against us. We cry out for freedom, yet constantly impose new rules on one another. We long for change, while desperately clinging to old habits. According to Walls of Jericho, the greatest system error lies not in technology or society, but in humanity itself. On System Error: Humanity, the Americans hold up a rather unflattering mirror to the world. And as we’ve come to expect from this band, they certainly aren’t doing it quietly.
It’s been ten years since Walls of Jericho released their previous studio album, No One Can Save You From Your Self. That doesn’t mean the Detroit outfit has been sitting idle all this time. The band continued to perform extensively, while its members also devoted time to families, careers, and other commitments. Still, a decade is a considerable gap between albums, especially for a band whose records The Bound Feed the Gagged, All Hail the Dead, and With Devils Amongst Us All helped shape the development of metalcore. The question, then, is whether the Americans still possess the same conviction after all these years. We don’t have to wait long for an answer.
True Til’ Death kicks things off with a powerful drum barrage and a crushing, staccato riff. The band then puts its foot firmly on the accelerator, and we’re immediately greeted by the unmistakable voice of Candace Buckingham. Her raw, aggressive outbursts have lost little of their intensity. Musically, everything sounds gloriously old-school, with straightforward riffs and traditional song structures. It’s an approach that works extremely well, although its uncomplicated simplicity may also come across as somewhat predictable. Ultimately, that’s a matter of taste. Anyone expecting intricate musical arrangements has come to the wrong place with Walls of Jericho.
On The Flame, the tempo increases even further, and Candace seems to inject an additional dose of venom into her delivery. That could well have something to do with the song’s subject matter, which revolves around female resilience, oppression, and solidarity. The musical foundation remains simple but effective, while a piercing guitar solo adds an extra sense of urgency. Moments like these demonstrate that the strength of Walls of Jericho lies not so much in innovation, but in the sheer conviction with which the band delivers its message.
That doesn’t mean there’s no room for musical ideas that stray from the familiar formula. The Ascent, chosen as the first single for good reason, ranks among the strongest tracks on the album. Here, the familiar hardcore foundation is enhanced by an additional layer in the guitar sound, giving the composition a slightly different character from most of the material. Candace digs particularly deep vocally, while the gloriously crushing breakdown towards the end provides a fitting conclusion. Lyrically, the song is equally interesting. The ascent of the title symbolizes personal growth, self-confrontation, and overcoming inner obstacles. It’s one of those moments where music and message come together particularly convincingly.
For the recording sessions, the band enlisted producer Kurt Ballou, known for his work with Converge and bands such as Nails and The Dillinger Escape Plan. He has ensured that the album sounds powerful and clear without sacrificing its raw energy. That aggression receives additional support from two guest vocalists. On Broken Mouths Can’t Speak, Randy Blythe of Lamb of God makes an appearance. Hardly a surprising choice, as his vocal style bears a striking resemblance to Candace’s. Both possess those wonderfully filthy, snarling outbursts that give their voices so much character. As a result, the collaboration sounds completely natural. On Humanity, we’re joined by Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord. His slightly deeper voice provides a pleasing contrast to Candace, while a wonderfully driving riff makes this perhaps the grooviest composition on the entire record.
Those who prefer their hardcore at breakneck speed will find plenty to enjoy in Agency. The track ranks among the fastest on the album and tears through the listener like a tornado. The brutally pounding, relentlessly thundering drums are particularly prominent here. No complicated musical acrobatics or unnecessary embellishments, just an uncompromising assault that charges straight through a reinforced concrete wall without taking the slightest detour. The lyrics about self-determination and personal freedom fit perfectly with this unrestrained aggression. This is hardcore in its most direct form.
Yet System Error: Humanity isn’t exclusively about anger and rebellion. The lyrics address subjects including social inequality, personal freedom, climate change, and the processing of trauma. Borrowed Ground, for example, delivers a clear call to take responsibility for the planet we’re leaving to future generations. Rather than merely condemning humanity’s shortcomings, the band also emphasizes that meaningful change ultimately begins with ourselves. It gives the album a lyrical depth that extends beyond the usual hardcore battle cries.
The biggest surprise, however, is saved until almost the very end. With A Brighter Fire, the atmosphere suddenly changes completely. If the term ballad can be applied to a Walls of Jericho album at all, this six-minute composition comes closer than anything else. Candace abandons her usual vocal aggression in favour of remarkably gentle, almost soothing clean vocals. It’s as though an entirely different band has suddenly emerged from the speakers. Yet the song sacrifices none of its intensity. This time, that intensity comes not from brute force, but from vulnerability and emotion. What makes the track even more special is the involvement of a younger generation. Candace receives vocal support from her daughter Patsy Puopolo, while Matthew Ruby, the son of bassist Aaron Ruby, contributes guitar. The latter can also be heard on several other tracks on the album. This unexpected stylistic departure therefore takes on a symbolic significance. The musicians who began carving out their own path in the hardcore scene almost three decades ago are now making music alongside their children. It adds an extra personal dimension to a song about confronting old wounds, surviving adversity, and starting over.
With fifteen tracks, however, System Error: Humanity demands quite a lot from the listener. The straightforward approach works brilliantly when the band is firing on all cylinders, but it also means that several compositions become somewhat interchangeable. A more compact album would probably have made a stronger impression.
With System Error: Humanity, Walls of Jericho prove that ten years without new studio material have done little to diminish the band’s conviction. Candace remains an impressive frontwoman, while the socially conscious lyrics give the record considerable substance. Musically, very little new ground is broken, but the question is whether anyone was really expecting that in the first place. The Americans primarily deliver what they have been doing so well for almost three decades: uncomplicated, aggressive old-school hardcore packed with crushing riffs, driving rhythms, and an abundance of conviction. System Error: Humanity is hardly a memorable album, and trimming a few tracks would undoubtedly have increased its impact. Nevertheless, anyone craving a hefty dose of traditional hardcore will still find plenty to enjoy here.
Score:
70/100
Label:
Napalm Records, 2026
Tracklisting:
- True Til’ Death
- Beginning
- The Flame
- The Ascent
- Broken Mouths Can’t Speak (feat. Randy Blythe)
- Untouchable
- Rise
- Agency
- Unchained
- The End Before
- Humanity (feat. Guy Kozowyk)
- Borrowed Ground
- Last Judgement
- A Brighter Fire (feat. Patsy Puopolo & Matthew Ruby)
- The Reckoning
Line-up:
- Candace Buckingham – Vocals
- Aaron Ruby – Bassguitar
- Dustin Robert (Dustin Schoenhofer) – Drums
- Bobby VaLeu – Guitar
- Kyle Gailey – Guitar
- Chris Towning – Guitar
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