Hoaxed - Death Knocks

Release Date: February 13th 2026

Label: Relapse Records

Hoaxed, the trio labeled “Dark Rock” from Portland, released their sophomore LP, Death Knocks, on Friday the 13th of February. Fitting day for this witchy death-rock release. At 9 songs, 31 minutes, this is an easy record to run through a bunch, and after the first listen that’s exactly what you should want to be doing!

This is a very much as described, a dark rock record, but with the hard hitting sensibility you find absent from some of the big names in the heavy metal world today. Hoaxed aren’t afraid to show their teeth and sink them into you, as you can hear from those black metal-esque screeches from bassist/backing vocalist April Dimmick. It’s impossible to ignore the chops of drummer Kim Coffel. Disco/dance four to the floor, to punk grooves, double bass to everything in between, drums are a such driving force on this record. Then of course, the dreamy voice and smooth 6 string playing of vocalist/guitarist Kat Keo could leave anyone in a trance. The talent of this trio shapes Death Knocks into the powerhouse of an album that it is.

Dead Ringer is probably my top track on Death Knocks. It delivers simple but great structure, fantastic atmosphere (as is the same for the rest of the album), perfect pacing and a memorable catchy chorus that you can sing along to. Accompanied by spooky strings and horror keyboards, this is the highest point on an album filled with high points. I can throw this track on repeat for a bit and not get tired of it. Some other favorites of mine are the punchy hard rocking Kill Switch, and Wretched. Wretched reminds us that a reckoning is always waiting for those who try to play god, but it also reminds me of how sweet the bass tone is all over Death Knocks. I really enjoy every song on this album, it’s a great listen start to finish.

There’s a short interlude track, Looking Glass, that gives me heavy Cradle of Filth vibes. It leads directly into Dead Ringer as if just one track, it’s so good. Very well done Hoaxed. I’m not one to call for more interludes, I like full songs, give me a song with each track, but when they are of this quality, I’d take more of them. Even if they just attached them to the songs themselves, or give me the start and end of the record with something haunting like this. For music with this vibe, it’s perfect in my opinion.

Fantastic record. Check it out. Fantastic band. Check them out. Listen to Death Knocks and their other stuff, and go see Hoaxed live when they’re on tour!

Score: 9/10