Review by Jimmy Sorrells
Some bands never lose the hunger that made people notice them in the first place. Islander is one of those bands. Hailing from my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, the band continues to prove why they’ve remained one of my favorite modern heavy acts with their latest single, “Dead Youth,” featuring AEW star Darby Allin.
Serving as the first single from the upcoming album Fire In The Shade, “Dead Youth” is a chaotic blend of nu-metal, hardcore, alternative metal, and punk attitude. The groove is infectious, the riffs hit hard, and Mikey Carvajal once again delivers the energetic vocal performance fans have come to expect. As someone who has seen Islander live more than a few times, I can already picture the crowd erupting during the crushing breakdown as everyone screams, “Dead… you’re all dead.” It is one of those moments that instantly makes you want to hear the song performed live and an exciting preview of what’s still to come on Fire In The Shade.
The music video is every bit as entertaining as the song itself. Directed by Nathan Mowery and Tyler Horner and edited by Mikey Carvajal, whose creative fingerprint has become a defining part of Islander’s visual identity, it feels less like a polished label production and more like a group of friends determined to create something unforgettable. That same DIY spirit has helped define Islander throughout their career. The video immediately grabs your attention with Mikey being dragged behind an ATV while lying on a mattress, setting the tone for the controlled chaos that follows.
The performance footage takes place at a skate park, with Mikey Carvajal sporting his clown-inspired skull face paint while Darby Allin wears his signature split-face design with a skeletal twist, perfectly complementing the single artwork. The video rarely slows down, packing nearly every scene with something happening. There are skateboard tricks, flamethrowers, wrestling-inspired stunts, and enough mayhem to reward multiple viewings. Watch closely and you’ll even catch one unfortunate moment where someone takes a painful shot where no one wants to get hit.
Longtime fans will appreciate seeing Chris Carvajal’s signature dreadlocks flying wildly throughout the performance, adding to the band’s unmistakable live energy.
The DIY spirit that has always defined Islander is on full display. One scene features fireworks strapped to a volunteer before they are ignited. In another, a skateboarder launches over the same person. Someone lights their jacket on fire, and another sequence has flames burning across the halfpipe as skaters continue rolling straight through them. And of course, with Darby Allin involved, you know somebody is going to take a body slam before it’s all over.
Lyrically, “Dead Youth” carries the frustration and defiance that have become part of Islander’s identity. Rather than sounding hopeless, it channels that emotion into something powerful and unifying.
I’ve been following Islander for years, and a song like this is exactly why I’ll continue to be a fan. They refuse to play it safe. Every release feels authentic, creative, and unmistakably Islander. This DIY band continues to reward longtime supporters while finding plenty of new ones. If “Dead Youth” is any indication of what’s ahead, Fire In The Shade has all the makings of another standout release in Islander’s catalog.
Watch “Dead Youth” here:
