Making their mark as major players in the post-hardcore revival is Toronto’s BACKCHANNEL. The scene kids, mall emos, and metal heads have all grown up, some started bands, and all of them are responsible for the current climb in this new wave of music. BACKCHANNEL’s newest single “Smoke Screen” bares all the marks of the beloved genre while also bringing a fresh, informed take to modern audiences.
Early on in the 2020s, the pop-punk revival came in swinging and brought folks back to a simpler time when it was needed most. Experiencing a much deserved revival now are the bands that push the heavy, edgy spirit of the underground up to the forefront of conversation and BACKCHANNEL is poised to be a frontrunner in this reinvigorated movement.
Released on April 16, “Smoke Screen” is BACKCHANNEL’s second single of 2026 and it is a concussive, cathartic ride that feels familiar to those who grew up in the scene with a contemporary point of view. Chugging guitars lay the foundation of “Smoke Screen” as soaring guitars and harsh screams fill any space left behind. The instrumental bridge conjures memories of early Alexisonfire or Sydney and allows the listener to catch themselves before being tossed back into the pandemonium. Where their previous single “Undercurrent” included clean vocals, “Smoke Screen” feels intentionally designed to leave no room for any semblance of niceties.
It’s evident that the 5 members of BACKCHANNEL grew up listening to the pillars of Ontario post-hardcore and draw from its influence, but this is not emulation – it is evolution. BACKCHANNEL have absorbed the influence of post-hardcore giants and have created something unique to the present. “Smoke Screen” is a standout addition to a growing catalogue of songs that exemplify the next phase of post-hardcore excellence.
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Bio:
BACKCHANNEL is a five-piece post-hardcore band from the Greater Toronto Area. Blending hardcore, metal, punk, and emo influences, they create music that’s both intense and emotional—cathartic songs born from experience, passion, and a deep love for the underground scene.
