THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Some bands go out with a bang. Sum 41 are going out with two: Heaven :x: Hell, the new double album from the Grammy-nominated Canadian pop-punk mainstays, is their final release as a band — and their most ambitious work yet.
Heaven is 10 tracks of snarling, high-energy pop-punk, while Hell consists of 10 heavy-metal anthems spiked with fret-burning solos, thrashing riffs and fist-pumping hooks. It only makes sense: After all, the band have been straddling the line of pop-punk and metal for their entire career. Heaven :x: Hell is a testament to their innovative sound and unmatched skill, cementing their reputation as pioneers 27 years after the bands inception.
On the new album, Deryck Whibley says, “Once I heard the music, I was confident enough to say, ‘This is the record I’d like to go out on.’ We’ve made a double album of pop-punk and metal, and it makes sense. It took a long time for us to pave this lane for ourselves, but we did, and it’s unique to us.”
Alongside the announcement, Sum 41 released the new single and video Rise Up. The first offering from the metal-filled Hell side, Rise Up opens with a flurry of guitar riffs and drums fit for a mosh pit straight out of the band’s early years. “Writing Rise Up, I felt the way I did when I first got signed,” says Deryck. “I felt the pressure and the need to create something great, but I felt so excited at the same time.”
Heaven :x: Hell is aiming for nothing short of greatness, a perfect parting gift from the band to the fans that have supported them throughout 27 years of making music together. “I love Sum 41, what we’ve achieved, endured, and stuck together through, which is why I want to call it quits,” Deryck leaves off. “There were so many times we could’ve broken up. For some reason, we kept sticking it out. I’m proud of that. It’s the right time to walk away from it. I’m putting all of my energy into what’s ahead. This is going to be the biggest tour of our lives, and I want to make it the best show we’ve ever done. That’s it.”
Over the course of their career, Sum 41 have established their place in rock history with 15 million records sold, multiple Billboard-charting releases, a Grammy nomination, two Junos (and seven noms), a Kerrang! Award, multiple Alternative Press Music Awards, and other accolades.”
