The final album from Canadian pop-punk crossover band, this time leaving with a double album in pop-punk and thrash metal. By every track, note, solo, riff, shout; Heaven X Hell is a great representation of Sum 41. The front half is loaded with hooks including “Landmines” and “I Can’t Wait”. The back half is where the thrash slowly kicks in. When the volume finally raises it’s impressive. “I Don’t Need Anyone” and “You Wanted War” stand out as accessible, upbeat thrash. The guitar work from Brown Sound gets short blasts to shine throughout the double album and that keeps everything connected. There are some filler moments. Some of the short tracks definitely don’t add much substance, but it also doesn’t feel like wasted time. If this is the true goodbye from Sum 41, then I can think of much worse ways to say farewell. 7/10.
“Sum 41’s upcoming eighth and final studio album “Heaven :x: Hell” is a fitting farewell from the Canadian pop-punk icons. Divided into two discs, the album sees the band returning to their early pop-punk roots on the “Heaven” side, while continuing their recent heavier metal sound on the “Hell” side. Vocalist Deryck Whibley has described the album as “somewhat of a nod to Black Sabbath”, reflecting the band’s musical evolution over their nearly three-decade career. With the album set for release on March 29, 2024 through Rise Records, Sum 41 will embark on a farewell tour in support of “Heaven :x: Hell” starting in January 2024, with the final show scheduled for January 30, 2025 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The album has been met with positive reviews, with critics praising Sum 41’s ability to blend their signature pop-punk sound with heavier metal influences on this final release.” (Perplexity)
