The West Coast hardcore, heavy rock amalgam in The Barbarians of California have confirmed the August 21st arrival of their sophomore full length, MEGATONS.

The presentation follows the band's 2024 debut full length, And Now I'm Just Gnashing My Teeth, and the subsequent swell of success that followed as the band took on touring dates with the likes of Deftones as a result. 

Helmed by Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION and longtime collaborator and Eric Stenman, The Barbarians of California combine hardcore grit with rock heavy proficiency in what amounts to a collection of tracks that are both well-constructed and brimming with energy. That meld is evident on the band's succession of singles including "Vanilla Latte," "Bomb to A Knife Fight," "Modern Fashion and the latest single, "The Gnarlycore Class."

"Sometimes when writing a new song, the goal is to land on a tempo that hasn't been used anywhere else on the album," Eric Stenman explained. "'Gnarlycore' was just that. I think Aaron has been wishing for something in this vein for a while now. This was the second to last song that we came up with for MEGATONS, and it seemed to come together quickly and effortlessly."

As for the scope of the band's second, especially pivotal record, Stenman added how the chemistry of the band eased the pressure of the process, "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 song — just bigger and better."

Along with the arrival of MEGATONS, the band's summer plans include a series of headlining tour dates as well as festival appearances and a supporting set opening for Guns N Roses. See the current list of confirmed dates below. 

MEGATONS, the sophomore album from The Barbarians of California arrives August 21st. Pre-order the album - HERE