Music Review: Tearing Down the Masquerade Set to Release Their First Full Album, Live From Kyle’s Basement, May 30, 2026

Fort Wayne has a secret, and I’m here to serve the tea! The Fort Wayne, IN music scene contains a little band called Tearing Down The Masquerade, who are so underrated. I’m here to share the news, because they pack a sound and show deserving of stadiums. If you have already heard of them, prepare to have your mind blown.  Forget everything you think you know them to be, because this album truly displays their immense talents.  They are set to release their first full album, Live From Kyle’s Basement on 5.30.26.  With the truly out of this world, authentic, yet familiar aesthetic and a sound that feels like you’re transported back to the 90s grunge era, this album is going places!  Tearing Down The Masquerade are here to straight up tear shit down!

The band is made up of Zach (vocals), Dori (drums), Kyle (guitar), Sean (rhythm guitar), and Logan (bass).  

I sat with the album for a couple weeks, listening to songs on repeat.  Knowing that they’re good from seeing them live multiple times before, I knew that I would like the album.  However, I was not prepared for the immediate shock of how beautiful the first track is. 

The album starts with “Hello Blackbird.” Go ahead and brace yourself because you’re going to be heading into this album smacked in the face with the astonishing dual vocals that create a harmony that feels more like soaring. The melody from the guitars feel like a bird’s song.  The drums and bass complement that feeling. Zach and Logan’s vocals carry you through like wings. The lyrics are poetic and emotion invoking. This song is the sugar in this piping hot tea!  

“Queen of Hearts” is next up.  This one feels familiar and relatable. Have you been in love? Vulnerable, broken and expecting it to turn out like the entirety of your previous heartaches? Beginning with a drum beat like a pounding heart, and vocals that escalate into the heat of the chorus, this song will leave you thinking, “Damn.” Who knew that this feeling was so universal? Well, here’s a song for you. Whether you’re just so broken and untrusting based on history, or maybe just need love so bad you say, “Screw it, you’re here, I’m looking the other way.”  Who is your queen of hearts? Do you choose ignorance to keep your queen? Overall, this song is catchy and the chorus will get stuck in your head.

The next track is “Fading Away.”  This one starts with nice chunky guitar and bass, in your face and right to the point. Kyle absolutely shreds with Dory keeping the beat that nicely compliments the guitar. Are you over it all?  The tempo is a little faster and is suiting to the theme, provoking a little anxiety/tension. This one is relatable to the ones who may feel lost and tired. This one is a great song to turn up loud and blow off some steam. 

Following “Fading Away,” is “Rat Race.”  I’m in love with the bass.  It tantalizes and dances around the background of this one.  Continuing on with a similar theme as Fading Away, this one continues the themes of frustration and exhaustion, yet the music feels encouraging.   Prepare yourself for an epic buildup of emotion and an immaculate vocal fry scream from Zach. I can confirm that this track is a great one for a good workout.  

“Please Don’t Go” starts with a static distortion that reminds you of remembering a distant memory or holding onto a dissipating last hope.  The lyrics are brilliant.  The metaphors are simple but hit deep.  The haunting guitar melody and the lyrics repeating are symbolic in the way of what begging feels like.  When there’s nothing left that you can do to convince someone except beg them to stay.  However, in this track, I sense the meaning is deeper than someone breaking up.  It feels like begging someone to keep living.  

As the album continues on, “Waiting For Me” begins by instantly capturing my attention.  This one, I really connect with as it reminds me of the relationship that I have with my husband.  Missing the one who got away, for years, wondering if they feel the same.  Down to wondering if they are dreaming of you, too.  This one is one of my favorites from the album.  The sudden acceleration in the tempo change, to me feels like waiting but in a sped-up timelapse.  In the end, I did reunite with the one I let get away, but this song kind of ends with a little mystery.  An unfinished story, perhaps?

If you’ve been to a live show, or checked out their Spotify, then it’s likely that you have heard “Esmerelda.”  It’s a banger.  The song opens with an attention-grabbing whistle followed by Zach’s raspy vocals.  Logan’s groovy as hell bass mixed with the catchy tune makes you want to get up and move.  I don’t know who Esmeralda is, but she’s definitely someone.  

As each track continues on, I am continuously blown away by Zach’s vocals.  “Closer to You” really shows off his range.  From a more melodic, higher octave and then back down to his classic gritty vocals, this song will make you stop and listen.  I’m loving the buildup in this one and the final release is pure satisfaction. 

Anyone who is already familiar with Tearing Down the Masquerade loves the next track, “Jackie.”  This one was written by Logan when he was just a teenager.  It’s been a fan favorite at the live shows, with the crowd visibly very pleased each time.  The guitar riff builds suspense and yet another fantastic vocal fry from Zach followed by the sick guitar/drum solo provides you with plenty of time to feel the groove.  

Following “Jackie,” “Nicotine Vent” begins with some higher guitar notes and upbeat drums.  This one feels like a story within the story of the album.  This song keeps a matching emotional theme as the rest but feels comforting and a bit more personal just as having someone to vent to does. The lyrics are visual and the song plays like a movie scene in my head.  

After “Nicotine Vent,” “Running” begins and is a much softer and deeper song to me.  I love that the album has felt like a rollercoaster of some pretty big feelings and life experiences.  When the guitars start up together near the end and the vocals go quiet, the tune carries you through to the end with a gentle landing.  The lack of drums makes this one feel sweeter.  As great as Dory is on the drums, I don’t think this one would have the same feeling with drums.  

By now, things are getting pretty deep and all of the songs have instigated quite the array of feelings and thoughts to the frontlines.  “Age Rings” is purely gorgeous and highly visual to me.  This one keeps me sitting quiet.  When they play this one live, I expect the flashlights (or lighters, if you’re an OG) to come out.  

The album closes off with “Hourglass.”  This one is giving some major Breaking Benjamin and Staind era feels with the intro.  This one is fitting for the ending of the album. The theme touches on time passing along.  It makes me think about how we spend our lives rushing and taking time for granted, then before we know it, it’s all memories.  This song forces you to stop and think; it forces you to slow down. “Now it’s goodbye, but I’ll see you again” could not be more fitting for the order of the tracks.  

Mark your calendars, set your reminders, write your little sticky notes, or do whatever it is that you do to remember something, because you are not going to want to miss this release.  May 30th, 2026 belongs to Tearing Down the Masquerade as they release their first full album, Live From Kyle’s Basement.  Give them a follow on social media and streaming platforms.  Get to a show if you can and enjoy this album.  I know I do.