The Barbarians of California
Reviews

The Barbarians of California – MEGATONS

falber. July 19, 2026

The Barbarians of California – MEGATONS
Independent
10,0/10,0

Brief:

The West Coast’s contribution to hardcore punk is undeniable. That tradition of aggression, passion, and scrappy melodicism continues with The Barbarians Of California, an engaging new manifestation of iconoclastic spirit and true bombast. Born from the shared passion of Aaron Bruno (AWOLNATION) and his longtime engineer Eric Stenman – who cut his teeth in the same Sacramento community that eventually launched diverse and disparate acts like Deftones, Far, Will Haven, Team Sleep, Hella, Dance Gavin Dance, Death Grips, and Trash Talk – the spirit of the underground and the personal catharsis delivered through metallic hardcore never left either of them. So, when Aaron learned that Eric crafted a batch of throwback bangers combining impassioned angst with modern sensibilities, he wanted in immediately. The Barbarians of California was born.

In 2024, the band released their debut album, And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth, and celebrated with a high-energy show at the iconic Troubadour in Los Angeles, cementing their place in the hardcore scene’s next chapter. Since then, they’ve continued to build momentum with headline shows across LA, a summer 2025 arena tour with Deftones and other festival appearances that brought their explosive live presence to a wider audience. Dropping two new singles in 2025 including a collaboration with Keith Buckley (Every Time I Die/Many Eyes), The Barbarians Of California are gearing up in 2026 for the release of their sophomore album, MEGATONS.

With their second full length, The Barbarians of California are unleashing fresh chaos straight from the sun-soaked, teeth-gnashing heart of the Golden State. Blending raw hardcore energy, razor-sharp riffs, and that signature mix of ferocity and tongue-in-cheek humor, these new songs hit like a caffeine-fueled fever dream. From the absurdly heavy swagger of “Bomb To A Knife Fight” to the explosive intensity of “Earthquake,” the band delivers unapologetic anthems that feel both brutally fun and dangerously addictive.

Guitar guitarist Eric Stenman says:
“Everyone has heard of the sophomore slump. Making a second album can be a fraught process full of overthinking and self doubt. Perhaps, the benefit of us starting this band at this later point in our lives, relieves some of that pressure. This felt so easy, and is a seamless continuation of whatever we started with the first batch of songs… just bigger and better.”

The Barbarians aren’t slowing down — they’re just getting louder, meaner, and more ridiculously entertaining.

[Edited Press Release]

Tracklist:

  1. BACK TO THE VALLEY
  2. THE GNARLYCORE CLASS
  3. VANILLA LATTE
  4. BOMB TO A KNIFE FIGHT
  5. REALLY REALLY RAD
  6. MEGATONS
  7. EARTHQUAKE
  8. THIS IS SHREDICAL
  9. HIDE ALL YOUR RECORDS
  10. MODERN FASHION
  11. SHARK OUT OF WATER
  12. I AM THE SUBMARINE

Main Focus Tracks:

  1. BACK TO THE VALLEY
  2. THE GNARLYCORE CLASS
  3. VANILLA LATTE
  4. BOMB TO A KNIFE FIGHT
  5. REALLY REALLY RAD
  6. MODERN FASHION

Other Recommended Tracks:

  1. EARTHQUAKE
  2. THIS IS SHREDICAL
  3. HIDE ALL YOUR RECORDS
  4. I AM THE SUBMARINE

Line-Up:

Aaron Bruno – lead vocals, guitar
Eric Stenman – guitar, production
Zach Irons – lead guitar
David Amezcua – bass
Linden Reed – drums

Comments:

MEGATONS is a collection of explosive and chaotic songs. It is unquestionably one of the finest albums of 2026. It is a genre-defying blend of styles that is capable of shaking even the most devoted fans of extreme music.

Contacts:

The Barbarians Of California

Video:

Selected Discography:

And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth – 2024
MEGATONS – 2026

Photo Credit: band