The Word Alive Is Back: New Knockout Single Leads Into The Eyes Above Tour This Summer

Cover Photo By: Mack Knox (mknoxmedia)

It’s been a long wait for new material from The Word Alive, but they’re back—and they delivered heavy on this one. Yes, you read right, heavy. The song hits all the right notes instrumentally and lyrically, connecting with listeners on multiple levels. Some fans who caught TWA’s recent shows got to hear this one first, as the band wanted those attending to enjoy the exclusive debut (lucky, lucky folks).

Eyes Above isn’t just their newest release; it’s also the lean into their upcoming The Eyes Above tour, with support from TX2 and Unwell, announced just under a week ago. So catch them on their upcoming headliner dates or at any of the three Warped Tour stops.

The Word Alive—Telle Smith, Jose DelRio, Logan Abernathy, and Devin Attard—go absolutely OFF on this track. It starts with a dramatic intro: soft and melodic. Vocalist Telle Smith shows off his smooth clean vocals, quickly followed by unclean vocals that made me raise an eyebrow like, “Oh… we’re really doing this” (in the best possible sense). The song then hits the gas, charging full speed with catchy guitar licks and sharp drum hits starting at the half minute mark.

What really stood out to me in the intro were those high-pitched, piercing unclean vocals that twist and echo around the line, '...from the sky above?' I honestly can’t put into words how much I love that detail—you just have to hear it. It’s the first glimpse into how layered this song truly is, with each part revealing something stunning if you take the time to dig in.

After the first minute, the song pulls back for a melodic and evocative chorus, and that’s when I really started focusing on the lyrics (more on that soon). Just seconds later, you’re thrown back into this beautiful chaos of sound that just works so unbelievably well. It's fast, it's digital, but it's also that classic metalcore tone. I’m all about having turbulent moments in any song, but not all of them work as exceptional as this one– I’m emphasizing this for a reason; every bit of instrumental felt locked in. Another chorus follows after this, then a bridge where the deepest emotions lie. It reflects the song’s meaning during a very calm, ambient segment—the kind that hits you with full-on feels and makes you think deeply. The mood carries a sense for the search for clarity and understanding.

So, on that note, back to the lyrics—the song wrestles with the existence of a higher power and questions why we endure so many trials and hardships. Take this for example:

"'Cause how could any "God" waste time on me? // Maybe when I'm gone, I'll be set free // I'll tell you I'm fine… // Can you tell that I'm lying? // Can you tell that I'm not?”

It’s obvious to say, lines like these stir that raw emotion. It’s speaking about a place many of us have been—or might still be. That’s what makes this song so over-the-top powerful: it reaches deep into the listener’s heart and reminds us: we’re not alone in feeling this way. These emotions are valid, and sometimes we just don’t have answers to the big question, “Why me?” and that’s what might just hurt the most. At least, that’s how I interpret it.

Just when you’re lost in your own thoughts, another hit of isolated, deep unclean vocals pulls you back into the dynamics.

“If I was forged in the fire // Torn apart by my grief // What the f— was your purpose for me? // How can I rise when the ashes pull me deeper?”

I really wish I had more words to describe how this part is besides 'heavy', but I can’t. It is what it is! You just have to hear this intensely layered section yourself to believe it. It’s that bit of musical explosion that just tops it all off.

The song closes out with the chorus one last time, with additional background vocals (as if I didn't mention the layered-ness enough already) finishing it off. This is one of those songs where, once it ends, you’re left completely mind-blown. I read a comment where a fan mentioned they sat in the car post-song in silence for minutes just in awe, and I definitely get that. In fact, the reception of listeners has been all around amazing, not one let-down crossed my search– that’s saying something. People are wondering if this release hints at a heavier return to The Word Alive’s earlier sound—but enhanced with a fresh, and more modern input for what’s to come next.

I’m so stoked because I’ve been eagerly waiting for this release. Did. Not. Disappoint. New music has been coming out left-and-right lately, but this song stands out to me a great deal. It has such real depth that I can hardly wait for Warped Tour LB to hear it live. I’m trying to resist watching live videos from the shows that have got to hear it first because I want to experience it for myself unspoiled. Like I said, this song is really hard-hitting— I love a heavy song, but a heavy song with a deeper meaning just hits so much more. Truly beautiful work all around.

The Word Alive The Eyes Above tour kicks off not long after they wrap their current run, starting July 25th here in sunny Roseville, CA, just before Warped Tour LB.

The Word Alive The Eyes Above Tour dates:

w/ TX2 & Unwell

07/25: Goldfield Trading Post, Roseville, CA
07/26: The Nile Theater, Mesa, AZ
07/28: Area15, Las Vegas, NV
07/30: Sunshine Theater, Albuquerque, NM
07/31: Marquis Theater, Denver, CO
08/01: The Waiting Room, Omaha, NE
08/02: Wave, Wichita, KS
08/03: Wooly’s, Des Moines, IA
08/05: The Vogue Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
08/06: The King Of Clubs, Columbus, OH
08/08: The Foundry @ The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA
08/09: The Gramercy Theatre, New York, NY
08/10: Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA
08/12: Baltimore Soundstage, Baltimore, MD
08/13: The Canal Club, Richmond, VA
08/15: Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN