The Wrong End of Your Rifle (single): 4 April, 2026
“...a jagged, industrial-rooted broadside aimed squarely at corporate impunity, state violence and the screen-numbed culture that lets it all happen in plain sight”
“Beneath the aggression, there’s a weird sense of groove and even melody trying to break through the noise. It’s not just rage for the sake of it—it’s crafted, deliberate, and sharp. This thing rips. If this is a taste of the upcoming “Apocalypse Pending” album, we’re in for something seriously heavy ”
“Dark, confrontational, and hypnotically controlled. it commands attention from start to finish. This is industrial rock sharpened to a razor's edge-ferocious, fearless, and a reminder of just how vital The Joy Thieves remain”
“an insanely fucked up blend of Public Enemy, The Jesus Lizard, and Nine Inch Nails”
“There is a hip hop veining and thrust to the single that aligns with and accentuates the song’s bullish breath and emotion. With every twist and turn, it shares a trespass of the senses, thought and the premise for addiction, prowess matched within the gripping video from Joel Lopez. It is a film bustling with attitude and dissonance in echo to the unrest and distrust of the song itself, and together a major highlight of the year ”
“The track channels both urgency and tension. Its layered sound driving a forceful critique of power and control. It lands like a clenched-fist anthem, equal parts defiance and release, with a pulse that’s hard to ignore ”
“The Chicago industrial rock collective (what is it with Chicago and industrial collectives?) return with a furious, grinding track that roars like a well-oiled machine, and is very much a product of 2026 America. Chris Connelly delivers a characteristically sneering, as he takes on ICE, Corporate America sucking up to the Trump Administration, snake-oil selling financiers, and Corporate greenwashing. It’s fierce, remarkably catchy and a great return”
“‘The Wrong End of Your Rifle’ hits with both sonic force and sharp political urgency. The Joy Thieves have something here that is confrontational and thought-provoking, lingering long after the noise fades. Its crushing rhythms and searing vocals amplify the tension at its core, pulling listeners into a relentless sonic assault. At the same time, its layered production and sharp dynamics reveal a depth that rewards repeated listens.” - Bill Cummings
“...a sharp, adrenaline-fueled blast of industrial rock that wastes no time establishing its confrontational tone. Built on a reimagined breakbeat foundation, the track pulses with mechanical precision while still feeling volatile and human. At under three minutes, it hits hard, says what it needs to say, and exits with a lingering sense of unease”