Meet Me @ The Altar (MM@TA) went independent and announced their departure from guitarist Téa Campbell, but these changes mean it’s time for a new chapter in their story. They dropped a new EP titled Worried Sick, and it PUNCHES in a very good way.

This EP contains six total tracks, and every single one of them is an absolute banger—featuring the focus song, “Dead to Me.” Vocalist Edith Victoria shares that this song is about carrying hatred toward the world and how this emotion is hard for people to admit to, yet something we all carry. In reality, maybe it’s not so bad if we discuss our feelings around such a strong emotion. I agree in hindsight, because society acts like sharing how we feel makes us weak or less human, when it’s actually what makes us exactly that—human. We are only human, and it’s only right that we express what’s going on inside our heads, or risk it exploding, metaphorically. Hate is a strong feeling, and it’s not something anyone likes experiencing, but it’s only negative if we continue to let it grow until it overtakes us. I think finding a healthy way to express displeasure toward something or someone is necessary.

This song carries such a powerful sound and meaning through its amazing lyricism, and I applaud the band’s ability to stay so authentic to that meaning while still being the cool rock duo I’ve seen perform live.

I love the line, “Yeah I learned a good lesson, I grew,” so much because that’s really all we want in life sometimes. Life is a journey of ups and downs until the end, but all along the way, we want to continue to see growth from our mistakes and regrets. Growth means improvement and, at the very least, finding better ways to see through things, even when everything feels so dark and bleak.

I also really enjoyed the song “In The Next Life,” as it starts off a little softer in comparison to the rest of the EP. The feelings of longing and hope ring so strong. It’s solemn and beautiful, imagining how maybe we’ll meet again in another life, different from the one where we broke. This could be a love song, but it could also be about a former self. There are so many ways this song could be interpreted, which I think makes it even more amazing. We all have that one thing or person where, perhaps in another life, it could have worked out. But that’s all it could be—a maybe, not a yes, not a no. Maybe.

Rock Sound describes the overall vibes of this EP perfectly: “relighting the spark and sharpening every edge … it’s packed with raw energy, pure heart, and lyrics that proudly own every emotion we’re often too scared to admit we feel.” This EP is streaming everywhere, so go give it a listen, but be prepared to endure a rollercoaster of feelings as you headbang to every word.

They hit the road next month, starting in Tampa, Florida. Grab a ticket if they’re coming to your city and show up for some headbanging fun! You will not regret it — MM@TA knows how to bring it!

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