From a press release:
After decades of silence, Burial Ground – the underground pioneers credited with forging the “bloodcore” sound that helped shape modern metalcore – has reemerged with purpose. Reuniting in the studio earlier this year, the influential Scranton-based band has returned not just to revisit their legacy, but to expand it with a long-awaited new EP that bridges their raw beginnings with a renewed creative force.
The four-song project, entitled “Ashes From the Human Flame,” was released on all major streaming platforms on June 5.
Originally formed in late 1991/early 1992 by late vocalist Jamie White and 15-year-old guitar prodigy Brian Quinn, Burial Ground quickly carved out a reputation in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hardcore scene for their explosive fusion of death metal, grindcore, and hardcore. Their sound, dubbed “bloodcore” by fans, is now considered a legitimate offshoot within the heavy and extreme metal landscape, an honor the group regards as both humbling and sacred as their work resonates across generations of music.
Their reunion comes after a series of rare and meaningful appearances over the years. In 2003, Burial Ground got back together for a tribute concert and fundraiser following the sudden passing of White. More recently, in 2025, members came together again to perform at Hardcore for Husvar, a benefit honoring another fallen Northeastern Pennsylvania hardcore figure, Option co-founder and Side Over bassist Neil Husvar.
As the sole remaining founding member, Quinn was unable to attend the Husvar benefit, as he was touring with multi-platinum rock band Candlebox as the lead guitarist at the time. However, after 10 years of traveling, performing on some of the world’s largest stages, and recording five albums, he made his way back home.
That’s when fate intervened. In early 2026, he reconnected with the band’s 1997-era lineup, which includes vocalist Steve Option, guitarist Dave Gruber, bassist Erik Anderson, and drummer/percussionist/vocalist Tommy “Tyrant” Lin, setting the stage for their first new recordings since the ’90s.
The EP features four tracks that bridge past and present with two brand new songs, plus two from long ago, showcasing the band’s enduring intensity and evolution. These include a previously unreleased track entitled “Flowers,” co-written by Quinn and White during sessions for a Revelation Records development deal which has been reworked as the song “Iron Lung,” and “Forever Friends,” a haunting and deeply personal song that had only ever been recorded live once. The band was able to harvest White’s vocals from that single live performance and include them on the song. It will be the first “new” music fans will hear posthumously from White.
Rounded out with the title track and “Cult of Death,” “Ashes From the Human Flame” was recorded at SI Studios in Old Forge, produced by Burial Ground and Joe “Wiggy” Wegleski, engineered by Wegleski, and mastered by Tom Borthwick.
“Burial Ground was never about fitting into a scene – we were building something of our own without even realizing it,” Quinn said.
“Coming back to these songs, especially the ones Jamie and I wrote together, it feels like picking up a conversation that never really ended. This EP is for him, for our friends we’ve lost, and for everyone who kept this music alive all these years.”
Burial Ground will celebrate the release of the EP at Hardcore for Husvar 2 at St. Mary’s Center (320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton) on Saturday, July 25 with Judge, Side Over, Human Animal, Controller, Rabid Shaft Badgers, Joystick Fury, and Still Won’t Break. Tickets, which are $25 in advance or $30 the day of the show, are on sale now at various local businesses. Visit hardcore4huz.com for more info.
Learn more about Burial Ground in Episode 241 of the NEPA Scene Podcast:
