Magnolia Park – VAMP (Album Review)

Magnolia Park – VAMP
Released: April 11, 2025

Line Up

Joshua Roberts // Vocals
Freddie Criales // Guitar
Tristan Torres // Guitar
Vincent Ernst // Bass
Joe Horsham // Drums

Online

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In my brief listening of Magnolia Park, I viewed their sound as a kind of pop-punk and alternative rock catharsis for brooding adolescents. Their first two albums maintained the upbeat energy of the early 2000’s, combined with the hip-hop and electronic influences of youth today – like if Simple Plan and Lil Peep had a misunderstood, emo baby. 

So, when I heard the Florida-based quintet was releasing a neo-gothic, Nosferatu-inspired concept album with nu-metal influences, I was intrigued to say the least. 

Magnolia Park’s upcoming album, VAMP, is a shadowy, cyberpunk epic framed by a slamming soundtrack that draws on nu-metal, metalcore and industrial elements. The genre-bending outfit have outdone themselves in constructing an intricate story to accompany this record, which you can read here. 

In short, the story follows a half-human, half-cyborg warrior named Aurora X1 and is set in the fictional world of Nocturne Nexus. Aurora is the leader of a rebel group of warrior vampires called the Shadow Breakers and is spearheading a rebellion to overthrow the oppressive Shadow Cult regime, which happens to be led by her biological father. I could delve much further into this lore, and I will, but let’s start by looking at the first track.

‘PAIN’ opens the record with a chanting chorus, emblematic of a staunch uprising of oppressed individuals, foreshadowing the war-torn story that will follow. A heavy riff then kicks into gear and propels the narrative into action. This fast-paced, metalcore-inspired track sets the perfect stage for VAMP, including dramatic breakdowns, cyber-like record scratches and a combination of melodic harmonies and harrowing screams. ‘PAIN’ constructs the visual of an oppressed people living wall-to-wall in a forgotten undercity, gradually becoming more indignant toward the powers that rule them. 

Following this introduction, ‘SHADOW TALK’ fades in. This track holds a more nu-metal-inspired sound, featuring Joshua Robert’s gloomy and breathy rapping in its bridge. What I find most intriguing about this track is the brief inclusion of spine-chilling whispers throughout it. The story’s antagonist and Aurora’s father: Obsidian, possesses the power to control minds through haunting whispers. So, perhaps this was a reference to that power and an ominous introduction to the tale’s main villain. If that is the case, ‘SHADOW TALK’ displays the true complexity of VAMP’s worldbuilding. 

‘CULT’ then screeches onto the scene with a bounding ferocity. Released as one of the singles from the concept record, the band explained this number displays the Shadow Breakers finally going to war against the Shadow Cult. This is musically agreeable as ‘CULT’ is the heaviest song thus far, featuring prolonged, death-like fry screams and combative drumming that demands attention, portraying an outraged warrior charging into battle.

‘THE SCREAMS’, ‘WORSHIP (feat. Plvtinum and Vana)’ AND ‘SHALLOW’ then all possess a similar sound. These tracks hold a collection of down-tuned djent riffs and intimate lyricism that breeds a seductive and alluring atmosphere, akin to that of Bad Omens or Deftones. 

While I adore this sound, the attempt to appeal to this theme of dark seduction has always left a slightly sour taste in my mouth. I can’t help but notice with the sudden online popularity of gothic themes, bands have been lunging toward this Deftones-inspired sensuality and abandoning their original noise in its wake. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I enjoy it, and I don’t see a problem with genre-hopping and acting on inspiration, but the change does inevitably appear slightly trend-driven and insincere.

Despite this, these tracks provide an interesting plot point to the storyline. The band revealed the record would feature a Nosferatu-like romance, a protagonist falling in love with an antagonist. So perhaps, these three offerings portray a twisted love story between Aurora and a villainous captor. To me, they paint the image of a relationship forged under Stockholm Syndrome, one which Aurora must break through emotional manipulation to escape. 

The record continues with battle-like hymns of war and triumphs. ‘CRAVE (feat. PINKNOISE)’ could perhaps portray Aurora’s return to her deranged romance, as it follows the theme of desiring toxicity and unhealthy love. In this, ‘CRAVE’ could exist as ‘The Road Back’ phase in this hero’s journey, providing another hurdle before the final battle.

This final battle tragically ends with the album closer, ‘OPHELIA’. The song slows everything down with a deep, sombre and painful sound, like dust settling on a bloodstained battlefield. Themes of death and loss envelop the track with lyrics like ‘this world wasn’t good enough for you / can you tell me, where do we go when we die? It paints the picture of a loved and lost warrior. In the story, Ophelia is Aurora’s adopted sister. I can picture Aurora, cradling her lost sister in her arms, screaming incoherently. ‘OPHELIA’ tells the heartbreaking tale of victory at a price far too great. From this story, and the instrumental's woeful sound, it is clear VAMP does not entail a happy ending.

VAMP is an unexpectedly intricate and enthralling concept album. While yes, the songs themselves can appear slightly formulaic and TikTok-appeasing, the worldbuilding and storyline behind the record is captivating. If you’re reading this and are a fan of Bad Omens, Arcane, vampire anime (it was literally inspired by Vampire Hunter D), fantasy novels and My Chemical Romance Killjoys lore, there is a strong likelihood you will adore VAMP, and I recommend giving it a listen. Get comfortable, close your eyes and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the cyber-gothic world of Nocturne Nexus. 

Happy listening x

Rating: 7/10
‍VAMP is out Friday, April 11 via Epitaph Records. Pre-order/save here.
Review by Grace Cameron @gracicxo