Ashes from the Human Flame will Feature Two New Songs and “Forever Friends,” a Haunting Song That Had Only Been Recorded Once Live
After decades of silence, Burial Ground—the underground pioneers credited with forging the “Bloodcore” sound that helped shape modern metalcore—have reemerged with purpose. Reuniting earlier this year, the influential Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA band returns not just to revisit their legacy, but to expand it, announcing 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 will be available on all DSPs starting Friday, 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 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 band regards as both humbling and sacred.
The band’s reunion comes after a series of rare and meaningful appearances over the years. In 2004, Burial Ground reunited for a tribute concert and fundraiser following the sudden passing of co-founder White. More recently, in 2025, members came together again to perform at a benefit honoring another fallen Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hardcore figure, Option Co-Founder and Side Over Bassist Neil Husvar.
As the sole remaining founding member of Burial Ground, Quinn was unable to attend the Husvar benefit concert, as he was touring the world as the lead guitarist for the multi-platinum rock band Candlebox. During his decade-long tenure with the band, Quinn performed on some of the world’s biggest stages and contributed to five studio albums.
Yet, after ten years on the road, Quinn eventually returned home, unaware that a new chapter for Burial Ground was about to begin. In early 2026, he reconnected with the band’s acclaimed 2004 lineup, which featured vocalist Steve Option alongside 1997 members Guitarist Dave Gruber, Bassist Erik Anderson, and Drummer/Percussionist/Vocalist Tommy “Tyrant” Lin. The reunion immediately rekindled the chemistry and creative energy that had defined the band’s earlier years, setting the stage for Burial Ground’s first new recordings in decades.
The forthcoming 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 since been re-invented as the track “Iron Lung,” and “Forever Friends,” a haunting and deeply personal song that had only 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. Recorded at Sound Investments Studio in Old Forge, PA, Ashes from the Human Flame was 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,” said Quinn. “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.”
The official track listing for Ashes from the Human Flame is as follows:
“Ashes from the Human Flame”
“Cult of Death”
“Iron Lung”
“Forever Friends”
Burial Ground will celebrate the release of the EP at the Hardcore for Husvar 2 show on Saturday, July 25 at the St. Mary’s Center (320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton, PA) featuring hardcore legends Judge as the headliner. Tickets are available at www.hardcore4huz.com. Proceeds benefit the Huz 2.0 Scholarship Fund and NAMI.
About Burial Ground
Formed in the early ’90s, Burial Ground emerged from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton hardcore scene as innovators of a genre-defying sound that fused death metal, grindcore, and hardcore. Known for pioneering “Bloodcore,” the band’s influence can be heard across generations of heavy music. Their legacy continues to resonate as they return with new material in 2026.
