Open Carry State call Atlanta, Georgia (USA) home and are debuting their newest track “A Loving Embrace” today. The band cites influences such as Jeromes Dream, Orchid, Slow Fire Pistol, and Portraits of Past and that leaves us asking, “how could this not be good?”.

In the tradition of the aforementioned bands, the trio blends raw emotion with even more raw performances - a formula that worked during the heyday of the first wave screamo movement just as well as it works in 2025.

Big chords give way to interspersed drum blasts and shrieked vocals in the first half of the track, while the second half drips in catharsis that is accented by arpeggios and spoken word - this all comes together for a payoff that will leave any genre fan smiling and bobbing their head along.

The entire band emphasized the emotional impact of this project; while there was plenty of mention as to the pain that is referenced in each track, Chase (vocalist / guitarist), signaled that there is more than just trauma at play here, “I’ve used the writing process for this band as some therapy, peppering a hope that there is beauty in this world.”

“THIS RECORD HELPED ME HEAL AND DEAL WITH A LOT UGLY EMOTIONS AND TRAUMA, IT’D BE BEAUTIFUL IF IT HAS A SIMILAR EFFECT ON OTHERS WHO GIVE IT A LISTEN.”

- CHASE, @OPENCARRYSTATE

“Hopefully we can play some awesome shows with our heroes and our EP blows up,” Luke says when posed with the question of ‘what’s next for Open Carry State.’ All the while, Nate’s aspires to “blow up and act like I don’t know anybody else” while also hoping to be opening for Portraits of Past, which could certainly come to fruition as the tight-knit group continues to hone its craft.

I’m full of hate today

Brimming with contempt for everyone yet I know,

I brought it all on myself, every finger I point will come back to me

I’m sorry, fuck you, I’m sorry

I wish I could fix what I broke

Until then I’ll seethe in a pile of remains

There is no fixing , I’m confined to a messy room

A foreshadow of demise, a cell block I designed

A detailed sketch of forlorn dejection

I’ll internalize the rejection

I’ll never grow, I’ll never improve

Just killing time till the inevitable comes crashing around me

I’ll except it in a loving embrace, a resounding end to my torture

A collapse into the nothing that I deserve

I’m sorry again, fuck you, I’m sorry

As for any closing remarks? Yeah, Nate has a few of those: “Fuck ICE, Fuck Israel.”

The bands’ new EP, I’ll Live in This Discomfort, was mic’d up and recorded DIY in Lukes basement. It was mixed and mastered by their friend Gabe Acosta, and its release is slated for July 4th with physicals being released via Oliver Glenn Records and Severed.exe. CDs were also made in house by the band through Chase’s micro label Doomsday Dance Party.

The band is set to hit the road on July 1st with the amazing Australia emo act Doris, and then they’re off for a short run with Combat Evolved from July 9th - July 14th.

Open Carry State is Chase on guitar / vocals, Nate on bass, and Luke on drums.

Follow them on Instagram here : Open Carry State

Writer : @spanndrew

Editors : @just_reidz & @garevthistle

06/23/25

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Open Carry State

“THIS RECORD HELPED ME HEAL AND DEAL WITH A LOT UGLY EMOTIONS AND TRAUMA, IT’D BE BEAUTIFUL IF IT HAS A SIMILAR EFFECT ON OTHERS WHO GIVE IT A LISTEN.”

- CHASE, @OPENCARRYSTATE

Gil Cerrone

NOT JUST A PHASE