With the release of their new single “Distracted by The Mona Lisa,” The Callous Daoboys reveal yet another facet of their evolving sound—one that is, dare it be said, mainstream approachable. While it might seem like a bold prediction, their upcoming album I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven, out May 16th via MNRK Music Group, has the potential to reach Knocked Loose or even Turnstile-level heights.
To date, four singles have dropped: “Two-Headed Trout,” “The Demon of Unreality Limping Like a Dog,” “Lemon,” and now “Distracted by The Mona Lisa.” While the first two may not have immediately commanded widespread attention, heard in context with “Lemon” and “Distracted by The Mona Lisa,” a broader, more ambitious vision for the album comes into focus.
“Lemon” explores what could only be called a nü-nü-metal sound—if such a genre exists—channeling a Linkin Park-esque aesthetic, minus the turntable scratches. “Two-Headed Trout” trudges through grungy, chugging riffs with a vocal mix of singing, screaming, and yelping that recalls early Korn. The blipping electronics and pounding drums that open “The Demon of Unreality Limping Like a Dog” could easily be mistaken for a Slipknot track.
“Distracted by The Mona Lisa” lands somewhere in the middle. It carries the smoother pace of “Lemon,” but builds toward a climactic breakdown that echoes the weight of “Two-Headed Trout.” There’s even a touch of early Incubus in its dynamic flow.
These heavyweight comparisons aren’t made lightly. For all its nostalgic influences, the music retains a freshness and a fiercely unique identity that is unmistakably The Callous Daoboys.
On their last album, Celebrity Therapist, the band leaned hard into chaotic thrash and punk—abrupt, unpredictable, and occasionally overwhelming. I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven feels more cohesive, more deliberately structured, while still delivering the unrelenting intensity fans expect.
The Callous Daoboys are leveling up—and all signs point to a breakout moment.
