After an unplanned hiatus starting in 2020, Phoenix-based emo-infused metalcore band Discovery of an Afterlife returns with Forget California, their first new music in five years and a clear statement on who they are today.
When the pandemic stopped live shows, the band did too. As the world reopened, conflicting schedules and life obligations made a traditional return impossible. But while the band stayed silent publicly, their songs continued to find listeners, quietly building a devoted audience.
Forget California is a cathartic anthem about walking away from something you once thought was destiny. In the song, ‘California’ is both the actual place and a metaphor for false paradises, toxic relationships, broken dreams, and past versions of ourselves we’ve outgrown. With soaring hooks, intricate guitar work, and anthemic urgency, the track captures that moment when survival outweighs nostalgia; the tension of leaving something cherished, even if it means convincing yourself to ‘forget’ what you love most.
‘When everything shut down in 2020, I kind of did too. I couldn’t do my part in moving the band forward because I wasn’t okay, and it didn’t feel authentic to sing about hope when I couldn’t feel it myself. Our songs deal with heavy subjects, but there’s always a thread of hope, and I had to find that again in my own life.
Rather than returning to live performances, Discovery of an Afterlife are entering a studio-focused chapter centered on storytelling and developing a deeper connection with listeners worldwide. Live shows will happen when the time is right, but for now, the mission is clear: create music that meets people where they are and reminds them they’re not alone.
The new music video, made with Dad Life Visual Media, blends high-energy performance footage, old clips & photos from the band’s past decade, and, of course, shots of California, highlighting the tension between nostalgic longing and growth.
More than a comeback, this release is a statement of evolution. Discovery of an Afterlife are no longer chasing illusions of grandeur. They’re focused on the people who have carried these songs through their own battles and on continuing to make music for those who need it most.
Forget California and its music video will be released March 13, 2026 on YouTube and all major streaming platforms.