Ethereal Metal

Ryan Murray | Co-Owner | Chief Editor | Contributor | Photographer

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Brooklyn’s metalcore upstarts Killing Connor have officially detonated onto the scene with their explosive debut single, “Sunk Cost Fallacy.” Released August 19, 2025, the track is a blistering statement of intent: fast, technical, and unapologetically feral in a genre that has too often leaned toward slow chugs and overly-polished breakdowns.

Formed by guitarist, songwriter, and producer Matthew Rosenthal and his longtime best friend Connor Shann on bass, the band began as a dream between two musicians who wanted to bring back the urgency and pace that defined early 2000s metalcore. “So much of modern metalcore emphasizes djent and thall aesthetics, which we respect and even use when necessary,” Rosenthal explains. “But we want to bring back the speed and hype of the early greats—August Burns Red, Killswitch Engage, Matriarch-era Veil of Maya. That’s the fire we’re chasing.”

The band’s name—originally suggested as a joke by a friend—stuck immediately, becoming a fitting banner for their relentless energy. Soon after, Rosenthal discovered vocalist Brian Thompson online. Thompson instantly meshed with the band’s vision, cranking out lyrics for three tracks in just two weeks. His commanding presence and emotionally charged delivery make him a force to be reckoned with, while his lyrical sharpness brings depth to the chaos.

Drummer Dan Schleicher entered the fold after Rosenthal posted a call for percussionists on Facebook. Not only is Schleicher a powerhouse behind the kit, but he’s also a consummate hype man—bolstering the group with his infectious energy and wide-reaching network. Together with Rosenthal, Shann, and Thompson, the quartet became a unit hell-bent on reviving metalcore’s pulse.

“Sunk Cost Fallacy” delivers on that promise. Equal parts precision and ferocity, the song cuts straight to the bone both musically and lyrically. “At its core, the track is about pouring your heart into something, only to receive diminishing or even negative returns,” Thompson says. “There’s a funnier, more personal side to it for me—but that’s for another day.” You can check out the lyric video below.

With Distilled Management backing them, Killing Connor are already plotting their next moves. Two more singles are slated to drop in late 2025, with a debut full-length album scheduled for 2026. Rosenthal, who produces and mixes nearly all of the band’s material himself, promises that the upcoming work will only push their technical and emotional intensity further.

For now, “Sunk Cost Fallacy” is a warning shot. Killing Connor aren’t here to blend in, they’re here to bring metalcore back to life, faster and heavier than ever.