FROM BLEGHS TO BREAKDOWNS: DARK DIVINE RELEASES HAUNTING NEW TRACK “BETTER START DIGGING”

Hailing from Orlando, Dark Divine have taken the underground by storm, crafting a distinctive blend of horror-tinged aesthetics and head-bang-ready riffs that stick with you long after the last note fades. They fuse crushing breakdowns and melodic hooks with eerie synths and smooth choruses, leaning heavily into a spooky vibe reminiscent of Ice Nine Kills or Motionless in White.

What sets Dark Divine apart from these other bands is that they infuse personal struggles, like anxiety and trauma, into their horror aesthetic. Their horror isn’t just theatrical–its a metaphor for real fears, using horror imagery to amplify emotion, not overshadow it. 

Dark Divine’s bone-rattling breakdowns and haunting instrumentals show no signs of slowing down. They’ve released another standout track, and it absolutely delivers. From the first note, I was hooked. Every riff, every scream, every lyric–pure chaos, in the best way.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a sucker for a good blegh–and Dark Divine absolutely delivered in “Better Start Digging.” Just 15 seconds in, Dark Divine unleashes a blegh so satisfying it feels like it was aimed straight at my soul, resonating in my bones—pure audio nirvana. What makes a solid blegh so satisfying is how it acts like a vocal punctuation mark: a harsh, guttural burst that signals a breakdown is about to drop. It’s raw, primal, and perfectly timed, adding intensity right where it’s needed most.

After the track opens with an unmatched intensity and drops that blegh like a hammer, the middle section of the song dials in a more measured, menacing energy. This is where tension takes over — not just through heaviness, but through structure. The guitars settle into a tight chug that pulses like a ticking time bomb. The drums get more syncopated, playing off the vocal rhythm in ways that keep you on edge.

Around the one-minute mark, Anthony Martinez shifts gears with a section that spotlights both instrumentation and spoken word. The dynamic shifts away from sheer speed and focuses on building intense pressure. Instead of rushing the listener, the band lets the music breathe, drawing you into the pit gradually rather than shoving you headfirst. The brief instrumental dropouts or vocal breaks can also be interpreted as pockets of silence before each riff slams back in, almost like jump scares in a horror movie. Regardless, that stop-start structure builds suspense and makes every guttural scream hit even harder.

As the track barrels towards its climax, the heavy instrumentation and the final refrain of “Better Start Digging” serve to give the moment a cinematic lift while simultaneously amplifying the raw aggression at the song’s core. The ending transcends a typical breakdown; it's a ritualistic burial matching the theme of the song. The lyrics and delivery suggest a surrender to fate, as if the narrator is fully embracing the consequences they warned about earlier. It’s the kind of ending that stays with you, echoing long after the final note fades.

Better Start Digging is out Friday, July 18th. Make sure to check it out!