DRAIN To Release Brand New Album "IS YOUR FRIEND" In November

The hardcore trio DRAIN from Santa Cruz, CA, is back with the announcement of their new album, titled ‘...IS YOUR FRIEND,’ which is set to be released on November 7, 2025, via Epitaph Records. Following the success of their 2023 album ‘LIVING PROOF’ and a year spent on the road, the new record showcases the band—best friends at their core—performing at the peak of their abilities and demonstrating their natural chemistry.

Starting with the energetic hardcore track “Nights Like These,” vocalist Sammy Ciaramitaro takes a moment to reflect on the lifelong dreams that have become a regular part of Drain’s journey: “Over the last decade of being in DRAIN, I've had the opportunity to see the world, meet amazing people, and experience a variety of incredible highs, along with a few lows. Most importantly, I’ve been able to enjoy these experiences with my best friends. No matter what we accomplish or how much we grow, we remain just a group of friends who get to make music together and create memories around the globe. We are very aware of how fortunate we are to have this opportunity. THAT is what 'Nights Like These' is all about.”

The music video, directed by Derek Rathbun, alternates between footage of the band’s energetic live performance in 2025 and a vision of them three decades later, where they use their dads and uncle as stunt doubles to recreate that same onstage energy. "When we were brainstorming ideas for this video, I thought it would be really cool to make ourselves look older and perform as seniors," Ciaramitaro explained. "We could have gone with make-up and practical effects, but then it occurred to me that I’m going to look just like my dad when I get older—I should just use him instead."

Excited to witness his 61-year-old father stage dive for the first time, he expressed, “The fact that we got to share this special night with the people who shaped us into the men we are today means so much to all of us. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as we enjoyed making it happen.

Shout out to Stu, Frankie, and Donny!” There’s no other hardcore band quite like DRAIN. The Santa Cruz band is a cornerstone of their genre and an amiable presence in the music community. Punks love DRAIN. Metalheads love DRAIN. Even critics can't help but appreciate DRAIN. DRAIN is for everyone. Well, venue security guards might not be fans, but for everyone else: DRAIN is your friend.

DRAIN, consisting of guitarist Cody Chavez, drummer Tim Flegal, and vocalist John Ciaramitaro, formed in 2014 and quickly made a name for themselves in Santa Cruz’s vibrant DIY hardcore scene. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID lockdown, their 2020 debut album, California Cursed, gained significant attention. Their 2023 follow-up, LIVING PROOF, hit the hardcore scene with the force of a California beach during hurricane season — a true classic. Since then, DRAIN has performed hundreds of shows worldwide, headlining festivals, touring with friends and heroes alike, and even sharing the stage with Blink-182. Whether they’re opening for pop-punk bands like Neck Deep or passing the stage diving torch to Terror, DRAIN’s mission is clear: they want the crowd to go wild

With their third full-length album and second release on Epitaph Records, …IS YOUR FRIEND, DRAIN aimed to achieve two primary goals: capture their signature live sound in a recording and create new songs that would make their upcoming shows even more memorable. Their previous albums were written before they spent a year on the road, giving them the opportunity to observe which songs resonated most with their fans. …IS YOUR FRIEND is crafted to maximize the audience’s energy. Its ten tracks feature the heaviest mosh parts, the catchiest choruses, the most electrifying thrash riffs, and the most screamable lyrics DRAIN has ever written. Producer Jon Markson (known for his work with The Story So Far, Drug Church, and One Step Closer) recorded the entire album live, ensuring 100% real-time drumming without a metronome or programmed elements. The result is a sound that reflects how DRAIN was always meant to be: crisp, aggressive, and full of life.

Over the years, DRAIN has grown in size, their audiences have become more diverse, and their music has evolved to be more eclectic. However, Ciaramitaro emphasizes that the core philosophy remains unchanged: “DRAIN is your friend, DRAIN was your friend, DRAIN will forever be your friend.”