PILE OF KNIVES Hits Hard with "Shank" - New EP Driven By The Blade Coming Halloween
Get ready for a sonic stabbing. Eastern Pennsylvania’s brutal death metal faction PILE OF KNIVES just premiered their relentless new single, "Shank," and it’s a merciless dose of groove-laden, slam-drenched fury.
Metal Injection is hosting the lyric video premiere for the track, which serves as the second crushing glimpse into the band’s upcoming second EP, Driven By The Blade, set to be unleashed on Halloween (October 31st).
From Hiatus to Homicide
Though the name PILE OF KNIVES may be fresh, their roots stretch back over a decade. Guitarists Chett Kolakoski and Lee Messerschmidt, along with drummer Dylan “Pickle” Jaludi, previously played together in their band, Existence. After a long hiatus, the trio started jamming again in late 2022. It didn't take long for that chemistry to turn into a full-fledged new project, quickly recruiting bassist Jay Stromeyer and powerhouse vocalist Bryan Martinez (formerly of Grimus).
The Sound of the Stab
PILE OF KNIVES has forged a sound that respects the old school while hitting with modern intensity. Their groove-heavy attack draws influences from across the extreme metal spectrum, including:
Brutal Death Metal Icons: Skinless, Dying Fetus, Internal Bleeding, Origin.
Metallic Hardcore & Deathcore: Crawlspace, Final Resting Place, Shattered Realm, and Through The Eyes Of The Dead.
Regarding the new single, guitarist Chett Kolakoski states that "'Shank' is a fast, riff driven song that hits as hard on the first blast beat as the last. We wanted to write a song focused more on death metal elements, both musically and lyrically.”
Lyrically, vocalist Bryan Martinez channels his love for horror films and raw life experiences, focusing on dark, visceral themes like regret, self-loathing, and facing one's own flaws.
The New EP: Driven By The Blade
Following their debut EP, No Light (Summer 2024), the band quickly cultivated material for Driven By The Blade. This new EP promises four tracks that push their calculated yet unhinged viciousness to higher levels of intensity.
The EP was recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced by Shaun Werle, ensuring a massive sound worthy of its slamming death moniker. Keep an ear out for the track "Kukri," which features unique guest spots from Anthony Bacola on acoustic guitar and Ben Karas on violin.
Metal Injection sums it up perfectly: "‘Shank,’ which as you might've guessed by the title is going to stab you right in the guts. Repeatedly, and until motion is longer a possibility.”
Ready to get stabbed? You can stream the lyric video for "Shank" right now on Metal Injection's site.
What are you most excited to hear from a band blending brutal death metal and beatdown hardcore? Let us know!
Driven By The Blade will be released on October 31st; Digital preorders are live HERE, and the “Stabbed” lyric video is playing HERE. A CD version will be available for preorder shortly through Been There Scene That Records.
An official video from the EP will be issued in the days ahead.
PILE OF KNIVES plays shows throughout the East Coast scene and continues to write music, with their next release already under construction.
PILE OF KNIVES Live:
10/26/2025 The Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA
11/08/2025 The Meatlocker – Montclair, NJ
11/14/2025 The Seven Crest – Teaneck, NJ
12/06/2025 Backroom Studios – Rockaway, NJ
1/24/2026 The Alternative Gallery – Allentown, PA
