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Alternative
Atlantic
New Release
Ei8ht
Shinedown
Reviewed in issue:
115
Release Date:
29 May 2026
Reviewed by:
🟣 Mark Lacey
For Fans Of
Three Days Grace
Breaking Benjamin
Seether
Top three tracks
• Dance Kid Dance
• Killing Fields
• Three Six Five
Fireworks Verdict:
"...this album is superb from start to finish, and it stands tall alongside their impressive catalogue"
THE REVIEW
Words Of Wisdom!
It’s been four years since Shinedown’s last album ‘Planet Zero’ – and the intervening years have provided many personal challenges for the band, with bereavements and loss affecting several members. Not unsurprisingly, those experiences have influenced the writing of ‘Ei8ht’, and the album reflects both on dealing with the memories and influences of loved ones who have passed on, whilst also expressing the need to live for today and embrace it, as we’re not guaranteed a tomorrow. Throughout their career, Shinedown have, of course, not been strangers to covering hard subject matter, and this album continues on that path of dealing with pain, but in an uplifting and spiritual way. Brent Smith’s lyrics have always been emotionally expressive, almost evangelical in places, and on this album he goes further than ever before.
Unlike their two previous albums, which were both concept albums – ‘Planet Zero’ dealing with toxic intolerance, and ‘Attention Attention’ addressing mental health challenges – ‘Ei8ht’ follows a different path. Whilst the overarching theme reflects on loss and emotional resilience, the album is more a collection of songs that a cohesive conceptual works. And perhaps that is a consequence of the album being written over an almost two-year period. During that window a number of the songs have been released to tease fans, but Shinedown have also toured extensively.
"Brent Smith’s lyrics have always been emotionally expressive, almost evangelical in places"
Musically, ‘Ei8ht’ is exactly what we’ve come to expect from a band who have mastered their craft. It’s anthemic, arena-filling songs with sing-along choruses, and lyrics that speak to you individually whilst bringing a sense of togetherness. Shinedown’s skill in creating relatable songs has created a bond with their audiences that is hard to replicate, and that is supremely evident on the album’s standout track – ‘Three Six Five’.
"Shinedown’s skill in creating relatable songs has created a bond with their audiences that is hard to replicate"
The one surprise with this album is that it includes eighteen songs, and yet it flies by in a heartbeat, like a good book that engrosses you and you can’t put down. ‘Dance, Kid, Dance’, ‘Killing Fields’ and ‘Searchlight’ are among the album’s most recognisable songs, but this album is superb from start to finish, and it stands tall alongside their impressive catalogue.
Reviewer:
🟣 Mark Lacey
Let Us Know The Score!
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