REVIEW: Headstones Light A New Fire With Burn All The Ships

Toronto hard rock veterans Headstones return with Burn All The Ships, their 11th studio album since launching their recording career in 1993, and their first release under respected independent label Dine Alone Records.

Canadian rock veterans Headstones return with their 11th studio album, Burn All The Ships, marking their debut on Dine Alone Records and signaling a new chapter in a career defined by gritty authenticity and relentless energy. Released on September 19, the record is a compact, nine-track journey that finds the band both expanding their sonic palette and doubling down on the no nonsense spirit that has kept them at the forefront of Canadian rock for over three decades.

Produced by longtime studio ally Chris Osti, Burn All The Ships captures the Headstones at their most focused and versatile. The band’s signature sound is driven not only by Hugh Dillon’s unmistakable voice, gravel laced, defiant, and emotionally raw, but also by the tight and dynamic playing of the full lineup: Trent Carr on guitar, Tim White on bass, Steve Carr on keyboards, and Jesse Labovitz on drums. Together, they deliver a sound that is both urgent and expansive, staying true to the band’s roots while embracing new textures and ideas.

The album kicks off with the revved up ‘Put the Car in Drive‘ and the tightly wound ‘Decades‘, both tracks setting the tone with propulsive rhythms and sharp songwriting. On ‘An Effort to Forget’, Emily Haines of Metric shares lead vocals with Dillon, resulting in a punk edged track that is immediate, volatile, and utterly captivating. Elsewhere, Dallas Green of Alexisonfire, City and Colour, and You and Me adds haunting harmonies and a beautifully crafted bridge to ‘Navigate’, a standout moment that introduces a more cinematic, emotional layer to the band’s sound.

Throughout the album, the performances are airtight. Details plays with shifting meters and relentless forward motion, while ‘City of Ghost’ and ‘Daylight Lightning‘ showcase the band’s knack for tight arrangements and lyrical punch. ‘Unnatural Causes’ leans into moody textures and echo drenched guitar, showing a darker, more atmospheric side. Closing track ‘Damned‘, a reimagined acoustic version of a song from 2018’s People Skills, strips everything back, offering a powerful and emotionally raw finale.

The musicianship across the board deserves recognition. Carr’s guitar work moves from searing leads to subtle textures, while White and Labovitz lock into grooves that drive the energy without overpowering it. Steve Carr’s keyboards add an understated depth, often lurking just beneath the surface but essential in shaping the record’s dynamics. These elements, paired with Dillon’s commanding vocal presence, create a sonic landscape that feels lived in, road worn, and fully realized.

What sets Burn All The Ships apart is its balance. It is a lean, carefully constructed collection that highlights the band’s core strengths in blistering rock and roll, sharp lyrical storytelling, and unwavering authenticity while also allowing space for growth and experimentation. The collaborations never feel forced. Instead, they bring fresh energy and dimension to a band that continues to evolve without losing sight of its identity.

More than 30 years into their career, the Headstones are not interested in nostalgia. Burn All The Ships is not a look back. It is a bold push forward. With this record, the band proves that they are still burning bright and lighting new fires with every note.

Track Listing:

• Put the Car in Drive
• Decades
• Daylight Lightning
• An Effort to Forget (feat. Emily Haines)
• City Of Ghost
• Details
• Navigate (feat. Dallas Green)
• Unnatural Causes
• Damned

*****Headstones are set to embark on a Canadian co-headlining tour alongside The Tea Party and Finger Eleven, with the first date scheduled for November 25.*****