Canadian hardcore heavyweights Cancer Bats have released the official video for “Give Me Dirt”, the title track from their newly released eighth studio album. Directed by Mitch Barnes, the clip captures the band’s trademark intensity with a stripped back, DIY aesthetic that reflects the raw power of their live shows.
Frontman Liam Cormier explains:
“With this being a more serious song, we wanted the video to feel as raw and gritty as our live shows. We also wanted to showcase the DIY spirit that is at the core of who we are. We’re a very hands on band, and it was important for that authenticity to come through on screen. Mitch and his crew really captured that energy and brought our vision to life”.
Produced by legendary producer Kurt Ballou, alongside Zach Weeks at GodCity Studios, “Give Me Dirt” was built the way Cancer Bats have always worked best, all four members writing together in one room before Cormier completed the lyrics in rural Nova Scotia.
The album explores themes of nature, travel and personal reflection. From the emotional weight of “Oceans Crash” to the uplifting spirit of “Long Tooth”, inspired by motorcycle journeys through Canada and Nepal, the record balances crushing riffs with surprisingly thoughtful songwriting.
Even the artwork follows the same philosophy. Rather than using digital tools, Cormier created the cover by hand using paint, paper, stencils and mixed media, giving the album a tactile identity that perfectly matches its rough edged sound.
If the new video is anything to go by, Cancer Bats remain one of hardcore’s most authentic voices, loud, uncompromising and proudly DIY.
