| Conflict DLC | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 11, 2025 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:21 | |||
| Label | Loma Vista | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Health chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Conflict DLC | ||||
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Conflict DLC is the sixth studio album by American industrial rock band Health. It was released on December 11, 2025, through Loma Vista Recordings, receiving positive reviews.
Background and recording
[edit]Conflict DLC is presented as a continuation of Health's previous album Rat Wars, with the album art depicting the track listing as a C and D side; the album's name is a reference to downloadable content in video gaming.[1] The material originated during sessions for Rat Wars, but eventually only three leftover songs were retained.[2] Initially, it was intended to release as a double album, but singer Jacob Duszik said that the format was "exclusively considered a good idea by the people who release them".[3]
Like Rat Wars, Conflict DLC is produced by Stint.[3][4] However, Health chose to recruit Drew Fulk to mix the album as they liked his work on Knocked Loose's most recent record, You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To.[3] Lars Stalfors is also credited with mixing work on the album.[5] Willie Adler of Lamb of God, who was previously featured on Rat Wars, was recruited to fix a riff that Perturbator described as "dogshit" during a listening session.[2]
Composition
[edit]The album has been described as having elements of industrial metal and electronic music.[6][7] It is sonically similar to Rat Wars; Raul Stanciu of Sputnikmusic called it a "direct follow up", and Duszik stated it has an identical "sonic palette".[6][3] The latter described it as still being "distinctive", calling it "more uptempo", and "more aggressive and more desperate, but... also more fun";[3] the change towards a heavier sound being partially influenced by other bands that were scheduled to perform at Knotfest in Australia.[2]
Promotion and release
[edit]The album was announced alongside the first single "Ordinary Loss" on 11 September 2025.[5] This was followed by "Vibe Cop", featuring Adler, on October 3.[8] "Thought Leader" was released on October 23, "You Died" on November 6, "Shred Envy" on November 21, and "Antidote" on December 8.[9][10][11][12] The complete album was released on 11 December 2025 via Loma Vista Recordings.[13]
Reception
[edit]DIY magazine reviewer Joe Goggins described Conflict DLC as a "purification" of their previous work, and Stanciu stated it was "more organic" and possessed tracks that "hit harder" than those of Rat Wars.[6][14] Metal Hammer writer Matt Mills commended Drew Fulk's presence on the album, comparing the heavier moments on the album to an "all-consuming detonation".[7] Ben Scanga of Spill Magazine praised the album for its thematic content, describing it as a "laser beam of ambition and compassionate energy".[15]
Tracklist
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ordinary Loss" | 3:53 |
| 2. | "Burn the Candles" | 3:14 |
| 3. | "Vibe Cop" | 2:53 |
| 4. | "Trash Decade" | 2:35 |
| 5. | "Torture II" | 1:07 |
| 6. | "Antidote" | 3:04 |
| 7. | "Darkage" | 3:11 |
| 8. | "Shred Envy" | 3:43 |
| 9. | "You Died" | 3:24 |
| 10. | "Thought Leader" | 3:22 |
| 11. | "Don't Kill Yourself" | 2:35 |
| 12. | "Wasted Years" | 6:20 |
| Total length: | 39:21 | |
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP)[16] | 79 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[17] | 19 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[18] | 35 |
References
[edit]- ^ Pearlman, Mischa (10 December 2025). "HEALTH: "We're not pushing any political bullsh*t other than some…". Kerrang!. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ a b c Mack, Emmy (19 December 2025). "From Bonus EP To Sonic Apocalypse: Inside HEALTH's New Album 'CONFLICT DLC'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Trendell, Andrew (11 September 2025). "HEALTH on the digital dystopia and new album 'Conflict DLC': "More uptempo, more bangers, more fun"". NME. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ Hadusek, Jon (11 September 2025). "HEALTH Announce New Album CONFLICT DLC, Unleash "ORDINARY LOSS"". Consequence. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ a b Adams, Gregory (11 September 2025). "HEALTH announce new album with mournful anthem "Ordinary Loss"". Revolver. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ a b c Stanciu, Raul. "Review: HEALTH - Conflict DLC". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
- ^ a b Mills, Matt (13 December 2025). ""The world is awful – refusing to have a boogie won't make anything better, though": Sleep Token-backed industrial champions Health dance in the face of despair on new album Conflict DLC". Louder.
- ^ Adams, Gregory (3 October 2025). "Hear LAMB OF GOD's WILLIE ADLER join HEALTH on MINISTRY-esque new song "Vibe Cop"". Revolver. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ Stoddard, Cait (6 November 2025). "HEALTH Unveil Gloomy New Single & Video "You Died"". mxdwn Music. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ^ Keenan, Hesher (23 October 2025). "Health Release Totally Not Bleak "Thought Leader"". MetalSucks. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
- ^ Kaufman, Spencer (20 November 2025). "HEALTH Unveil Single "SHRED ENVY" Ahead of New Album and 2026 Tour". Consequence. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Keenan, Hesher (8 December 2025). "Health Have the "Antidote" to Monday Boredom with New Track and Music Video". MetalSucks. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (11 September 2025). "HEALTH Announce New Album 'Conflict DLC': Hear "Ordinary Loss"". Stereogum. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ Goggins, Joe (10 December 2025). "HEALTH - Conflict DLC". DIY. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ Scanga, Ben (11 December 2025). "SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HEALTH - CONFLICT DLC". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ "Top Rock & Metal Albums (semaine du 19 décembre 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 20, 2025.