Photo by Bella Petro
Southern California hardcore collective Initiate are the latest band to sign to Blue Grape Music, aligning with labelmates Gridiron, Spiritual Cramp, Superheaven, White Reaper and more.
Coupled with the news of the signing, Initiate have set an August 7th release date for their new EP, With Love // With Hate - marking the band's first extended release since the 2023 LP, Cerebral Circus.
Reflecting on the thematic direction of the EP, vocalist Crystal Pak explained, "When I looked back at the lyrics, everything read as a letter, either to another person in my life, my friends, or myself," reveals Pak. "However, a letter to a friend would be signed off 'With Love' not 'With Rage.' I intentionally wrote these songs, so they spoke to these two opposing feelings: Love and rage. You can tell which tracks spill to which side."
To begin the run up to release date, Initiate have shred the first single from the EP with "Numb the Pain." Working with direcotr Bella Petro, the clip pairs the band's potent live performance with their effective blend of aggression and melody.
Tipping their hat to their influences, Pak explained, "We all wondered, 'What would it sound like if Clairo wrote a Quicksand record?"
Pak continues, "The song starts off with a callback to our last single, 'Alone At the Bottom,' showcasing the ebbs and flows that life can throw at you. Where much of hardcore leans into anthems of brotherhood and sisterhood, this track still embraces those themes, but frames them through a more introspective lens. The addition of melodic softness and acoustic elements makes it clear from the outset that this is meant to land differently — not as a rallying cry, but as something more personal and reflective."
Pak finished by sharing how the single marks an important turning point for Initiate. "In a way, it stands apart while still feeling connected to the core of what we do — expanding our sound without losing the heart behind it, and showing that strength doesn't always have to come through volume alone."
In support of their Blue Grape Music debut, Initiate will spend most of the remainder of the year on the road. The band is confirmed as support for Senses Fail and KOYO this fall, along with a slate of festival dates including appearances at Vans Warped Tour and The Fest in Florida this October. See a current list of dates and cities below..
With Love // With Hate arrives August 7th via Blue Grape Music. Order the EP - HERE
INITIATE 2026 TOUR DATES
FESTIVALS
7/25–7/26—Long Beach, CA—Warped Tour
8/21–8/22—Montréal, QC—Warped Tour
9/11–9/13—Edmonton, AB—Purple City Music Festival
10/23–10/25—Gainesville, FL—The Fest
11/14–11/15—Orlando, FL—Warped Tour
WITH SENSES FAIL + KOYO
11/19—Los Angeles, CA—Belasco
11/20—Las Vegas, NV—House of Blues
11/21—San Diego, CA—Observatory North Park
11/23—Portland, OR—Crystal Ballroom
11/24—Seattle, WA—Neptune Theatre
11/27—Salt Lake City, UT—The Depot
11/28—Denver, CO—Summit Music Hall
11/30—Dallas, TX—Echo Lounge & Music Hall
12/1—San Antonio, TX—Aztec Theatre
12/2—Houston, TX—House of Blues
12/4—St. Petersburg, FL—Jannus Live
12/5—Atlanta, GA—Buckhead Theatre
12/6—Nashville, TN—Brooklyn Bowl
12/8—Chicago, IL—House of Blues
12/9—Cincinnati, OH—Bogart’s
12/11—Detroit, MI—Saint Andrew’s Hall
12/12—Toronto, ON—Opera House
12/13—Montreal, QC—Théâtre Beanfield
12/15—Boston, MA—Big Night Live
12/16—Philadelphia, PA—Theatre of Living Arts
12/18—Brooklyn, NY—Warsaw
