German band Fighting Chance have honed a powerful metalcore sound oozing in energy and aggression with a melodic edge that they describe as “raw, melodic and relentless.”
The band, who hail from Dortmund in the Ruhr region of western Germany, began as a group of friends blowing off steam in a sweaty rehearsal. But it quickly became something much bigger to become, in their words: “A band that lives and breathes loud, emotional, and honest music. Over the years, we’ve stuck together through countless shows, setbacks, comebacks, and a shared love for making noise that means something.”
On the sound they’ve crafted, Jan told us: “We’d call it modern metal: aggressive, riff-driven, but always with a melodic core. We’re all about delivering energy and emotion, with big hooks and raw honesty. It’s heavy music you can scream along to—and maybe even sing.”
Our latest taste of this is Scorched Earth, which was released last month. The track dives straight into powerful vocals over heavy guitars and drums, before cleaner vocals give way to a stabbing riff and more intense vocals. The pace slows as clean vocals take over in a surprisingly catchy singalong chorus “All those memories racing through my head, Make it harder to focus on what’s lying ahead, I need some time to realign, From here on need you out of my mind.”
Chunky guitars jump back in with vicious screamed vocals through an even heavier second verse, which flows back into another chorus. The pace slows down with echoey vocals and intense screams building into a fun little high-pitched darting guitar lick, which give way to another chorus. That tees up a vicious section of wild vocals and stomping guitar chords, before coming to a light melodic conclusion.
On the track, Jan told us: “The response has been amazing, way beyond what we expected. People really connected with the emotion and intensity of the track. Scorched Earth is about reaching your breaking point when there’s nothing left to lose, and burning everything down feels like the only way to survive. If you haven’t heard it yet, expect emotional chaos, crushing riffs, and a chorus that refuses to let go.”
Scorched Earth is the first release since Fighting Chance’s second album Things That Set Us Free, which came out in 2022. It includes huge tracks like the opener and lead single Set Us Free, the slightly Beartooth-esque The Watch, the heavy yet catchy Spit, and the intense closing track Empty Throne.
The Fighting Chance sound has been shaped by growing up on bands like Alexisonfire, Comeback Kid, Thrice, Killswitch Engage, Boysetsfire, and Underoath and, more recently, the likes of Counterparts, Gideon, Wage War and While She Sleeps.
And on what inspires them to write music, Jan explained: “We write about the emotional wreckage life leaves behind—betrayal, loss, inner conflict—but also the strength it takes to rebuild. Our songs explore trauma, anger, and healing, but they’re just as much about resilience, solidarity, and reclaiming control when everything feels broken. It’s heavy music for heavy emotions—but there’s always a spark of hope.”
Fighting Chance are currently back in the rehearsal room, preparing for upcoming shows and writing new material. They plan to release new music soon and hope to play live as much as possible through the rest of the year, so get in touch if you need a band with “a high-voltage live show.”
And Jan added: “If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong or like you were losing control—we see you. Our music is for everyone who’s been knocked down but keeps swinging. Come scream with us. We’re louder together.”
You can follow Fighting Chance on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
Listen to Fighting Chance and more new music on our Spotify playlists GigRadar Core and GigRadar Metal
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