Album Review: Dance Gavin Dance Unleashes New Album Pantheon

The powerhouse band that is Dance Gavin Dance is releasing "Pantheon," their 11th full-length record on September 12th, 2025, via Rise Records. Dance Gavin Dance has been a band that isn’t afraid to push boundaries and fuse post-hardcore, funk, metalcore, and pop to create a unique sound that is truly their own.

Going into this album, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Dance Gavin Dance has been a band for twenty years, and with that can come a stagnant sound. With the sudden passing of bassist Tim Feerick and Tilian Pearson’s exit from the band, I was left wondering what Dance Gavin Dance would do next. Do they just rehash the same sounds from previous albums, have a few hits and new songs to play live, or do they continue to push their sound? I am happy to say that after multiple listens, 20 years later, Dance Gavin Dance still pushes boundaries, and "Pantheon" is an amazing album from them.

Pantheon is a 13-track album that boasts musical complexity and vocal challenges. It's as if each band member contributes diverse ideas to a song. Despite some ideas seeming incompatible, Dance Gavin Dance manages to make them work, leaving me, the listener, with either a stank face, singing along, or simply listening to the instrumentals in awe.

Pantheon opens with “Animal Surgery,” which is a classic Dance Gavin Dance style song. The opening is atmospheric with a mix of synth sounds and guitars. Then, out of nowhere, it goes into Jon Mess’s screams and double bass from drummer Matthew Mingus. It’s the classic hardcore/indie/math rock that Dance Gavin Dance is known for. The pre-chorus/chorus gives the listeners the first taste of vocalist/guitarist Andrew Wells. While his highs are not on the level of Tilian, his cleans fit better in Dance Gavin Dance than Tilian’s.

"Midnight at McGuffy’s" is the first single from Pantheon and perfectly combines the classic Dance Gavin Dance style with their new sound. It features Will Swan's signature guitar riffs and includes groove sections that encourage dancing rather than moshing. Matthew Mingus also shines in several parts of the song, reminding listeners of his exceptional talent. Despite the song's complexity, each band member provides space for others to shine. The groovy breakdown at the end is one of my favorite parts of the album.

“All the Way Down” is their second single in Pantheon. The opening seconds, with what I believe are sounds from Mario Kart right before the race starts, got me hyped. That and the high-energy intro made me want to run in circles. This song also has some of the heaviest riffs on this album and is one of the most straightforward songs in terms of structure. “All the Way Down” will be a great song to hear live and a crowd-pleaser.

"Trap Door" is the third single from Pantheon, and it brings to mind the quintessential Dance Gavin Dance style. By quintessential, I don't mean predictable, as there's nothing predictable about Dance Gavin Dance. Instead, it's the sound that fans of Dance Gavin Dance are familiar with and adore. "Trap Door" is the track I'd recommend to anyone unfamiliar with Dance Gavin Dance but interested in this album. For those already acquainted with Dance Gavin Dance and curious about this album, I'd suggest "Space Cow Initiation Ritual (feat. George Clinton)."

“Space Cow Initiation Ritual (feat. George Clinton)” is the left-field song in this album. It starts out with a more mellow sound with an interesting snare pattern on the drums, but then it hits. Out of nowhere, it goes into a psychedelic groovy section that just made me think, “is this the same song?” That’s when I noticed this song is a collab with the man, the myth, the legend himself George Clinton, and it makes total sense. Dance Gavin Dance is not afraid to have groovy riffs that make you want to shake your booty followed by either a sing-along or throw down in the pit. This song encapsulates all of it, and I hope we get a chance to see this played live with George Clinton.

My personal favorite track on this album is “A Shoulder to Cry On.” The raw guitar tones immediately caught my attention because they contrast with the clean tones I'm accustomed to hearing. I find the song's structure perfect, as it seems to capture exactly how I envision a song should build up. The chorus is the culmination of this buildup, featuring a singalong chorus and Jon's distant screams. Following the chorus, there's an interlude that once again leads into the chorus, executed beautifully.

When it comes to the lyrics of Dance Gavin Dance, I have always struggled to understand what Jon is writing about. Part of it is because of how many parts there are in a Dance Gavin Dance song, as well as how Jon writes is mysterious and not always straightforward. However, there are standout moments with the lyrics that I want to sing or scream with Jon and Andrew. If I ever had the chance to talk to Jon and Andrew, I would ask about the lyrical process when it comes to writing songs for Dance Gavin Dance and the meaning behind them. 

The instrumentals on Pantheon are astounding! Many bands have moments where the instrumentals shine, leaving you in awe. However, bands like Dance Gavin Dance, Animals As Leaders, and Polyphia showcase such musicianship that listeners remain amazed throughout the entire album. I hope Dance Gavin Dance will release an instrumental version of Pantheon and also create full-run playthrough videos. 

I am very particular about production because poor mixing can ruin great songs. When reviewing an album, I listen to it in various settings: in a car, at work, with headphones, soundbars, PA gear, and through laptop speakers. This is one of the best-produced albums by Dance Gavin Dance. Every instrument is clear, from guitar tones to drum fills, and the vocals are perfectly balanced, neither overpowering nor getting lost. The producer did an excellent job allowing all parts of the band to shine.

Pantheon is Dance Gavin Dance’s 11th full-length album that is a masterpiece from start to finish. From the opening track “Animal Surgery” to the final track “Descend to Chaos,” this album will take you on a journey and leave you wanting more. Even after listening to it numerous times over the last few weeks, when “Descend to Chaos” ends, I hit play on “Animal Surgery” and restart the journey. This is one of the best albums Dance Gavin Dance has put together, and there truly isn’t a band out there that is like Dance Gavin Dance.

I'm excited to experience these songs live and feel the energy of Dance Gavin Dance's performance. You might find me in the pit or with my camera, but regardless, I'll be in the crowd, passionately singing and screaming along to these tracks. 

On September 12th, 2025, you can purchase, stream, or download Pantheon and share this music with your friends. Music is one of the most powerful gifts you can share.