GUIDES Channel Raw Emotion and Heavy Atmosphere on New Single “DRAIN”

Pittsburgh-based hard rock outfit GUIDES is pushing their sound into darker and more emotionally charged territory with the release of their new single, “DRAIN.” The track serves as the first glimpse into a new collection of music that finds the band embracing a sharper creative direction while staying rooted in the heavy, atmospheric style that has defined their rise.

Built around crushing riffs, layered textures, and emotionally driven songwriting, “DRAIN” captures GUIDES at their most focused and intense. The song reflects both personal struggle and creative growth, arriving during a period where the band experienced major highs alongside some of their most difficult moments offstage.

The release also arrives just ahead of a major hometown performance as GUIDES joins Powerman 5000 and 12 Stones on May 18 at Crafthouse Stage & Grill in Pittsburgh.

One of the biggest driving forces behind the band’s current evolution is their collaboration with producer Zac “ZROKK” Diebels, known for his work with Simon Says, Key to Arson, and Automatic Static. The partnership carries special meaning for vocalist Jonathan Joseph, whose longtime connection to Sacramento’s late 90s heavy music scene heavily influenced the direction of the project.

Working with Diebels helped GUIDES refine their songwriting and production approach while capturing a raw energy that feels both nostalgic and modern. The result is a sound that leans into the emotional intensity of post hardcore while maintaining the groove and weight of classic nu metal influences.

Since emerging onto the regional heavy music scene, GUIDES have built momentum through relentless live performances and emotionally resonant material. The band has previously shared stages with Sevendust, Taproot, Cold, Orgy, Attack Attack!, and Simon Says, steadily building a loyal following through their dynamic performances.

Their debut EP, When Everything Reverses, introduced listeners to a band unafraid to blend melody, atmosphere, and aggression. Influences ranging from Deftones and Staind to Finch, Thursday, and AFI continue to shape their sound, but the newest material shows a band becoming more confident in its own identity.

According to the band, “DRAIN” was written in real time during a season marked by instability, recovery, fractured relationships, and perseverance. Those experiences became fuel for the song’s emotional weight and lyrical honesty.

While navigating those personal challenges, GUIDES were also experiencing career-defining moments, including sold-out performances and larger opportunities within the heavy music community. That collision of triumph and hardship ultimately shaped the tone of the band’s upcoming material.

With Jonathan Joseph on vocals, Tim Evans on drums, and Zach Hess handling guitar and bass duties, GUIDES are entering 2026 with renewed purpose and momentum as they continue carving out their place in modern heavy music. “DRAIN” is available now on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.