Review: Pipe Bomb – Hell Hole
Pipe Bomb is the solo project of Mitchell Layton, delivering blistering vocals and dissonant guitars that immediately call back to the chaos of early 2000s metalcore and mathcore. You can hear shades of bands like Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and The Chariot, but this is not imitation. This is a modern, Christ-centered expression of chaotic hardcore that stands on its own.
Formed in 2023 almost by accident with the release of the debut single “False God,” Pipe Bomb quickly gained traction, landing on platforms like Kingdom Core Podcast and NewReleaseToday’s “New Christian Metal” playlist. Now with Hell Hole, Layton pushes even further, blending old-school influence with newer aggression inspired by bands like Nails and Better Lovers.
Mixed and mastered by John Naclario (My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail), this debut full-length picks up where the Stomp EP left off and expands into something more aggressive, more chaotic, and more personal.
Track Impressions
“Under God’s Heel” kicks things off with crunchy guitars and a short, in-your-face delivery. The lyrics are direct and confrontational, setting the tone immediately with a defiant stance that hits hard and fast without wasting a second.
“Choke” delivers one of the most memorable lines on the album: “We’re called to carry our cross, but you burnt it just to keep yourself warm.” Take a minute with that. It cuts deep and shows the level of thought behind the writing.
The title track “Hell Hole” featuring Danny Thomas (formerly of No Treaty) brings an old-school hardcore feel. The imagery stands out with lines like “Black mold on the windows and shame on the walls,” painting a vivid picture that sticks in your head long after the track ends.
“Tabloid” is fast, chaotic, and packed with crushing breakdowns. It feels like controlled chaos, if that even makes sense, but that is exactly where this band thrives.
“I Will Kill the Worst Parts of Myself” slows things down musically while building intensity vocally. The screams grow, the tension builds, and it throws you straight back to the late 90s era of heavy music.
“Hate Club” continues the assault with excellent guitar work and some of the tightest breakdowns on the record.
“Mob Rule” feels like a direct nod to Josh Scogin and that entire wave of chaotic hardcore. If you know, you know.
“Bliss” is the shortest track on the album, but it might hit the hardest per second. It is quick, violent, and gone before you fully process it.
“Straight Edge Hate” says everything it needs to say in just a few lines: “Never a crutch for me, straight edge hate till I’m dead.” Short, sharp, and right between the eyes.
“Concrete” closes things out with strong biblical grounding, written with Matthew 7:21-23 in mind. The imagery here is some of the best on the album, and it leaves a lasting impression if you take the time to connect the lyrics with the scripture.
Closing Thoughts
Hell Hole is Christ-filled chaotic metalcore done right. It is aggressive, honest, and unfiltered. Mitchell Layton is not trying to copy anyone, even though you can hear influences from bands like Zao, Project 86, The Chariot, and Norma Jean. Instead, he takes those foundations and builds something that feels personal and current.
There is a lot of pain, tension, and confrontation in this record, but it never feels empty. It feels purposeful. These songs were written in the middle of real mental and emotional struggle, and that weight comes through in every track.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this album. It might make your day, it might make you smile, and it might also implode your head a little.
Grab a shirt or a hat too, just maybe do not wear it to the airport.
I am a fan. If you are not yet, you will be.
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