by emma schoors
My Chemical Romance is not only unkillable, but more alive than ever before with “The Foundations of Decay,” their first new release since 2014.
“He was there, the day the towers fell,” frontman Gerard Way sings, in reference to the 9/11 attacks. “The world changed that day, and the next day we set “about trying to change the world,” the band wrote in a 2021 statement, and change the world they did. “Skylines and Turnstiles,” the magnetic track from the band’s first studio album I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, sees Way attempting to make sense of the horror he’d witnessed, as well as find a path forward. “If the world needs something better, let’s give them one more reason now,” he promises, a promise that has been kept like a secret in our collective throats since it was first uttered.
They could’ve halted there and been quietly known as one of the greatest rock bands of all time, but My Chemical Romance isn’t exactly known for giving up, or being quiet. Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge swung them relentlessly into superstardom, and The Black Parade acted to some as their magnum opus. Exhaustive touring and worldwide success meant their next release needed a big change, and Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys was just that. Where a song like “The Jetset Life is Gonna Kill You” was dark red, “SING” was neon green. The band had proved yet again that anything was possible. Conventional Weapons threw a wrench in whatever you thought you knew about them, and tracks like “The Light Behind Your Eyes” and “Boy Division” still act as definite fan favorites.
“We would all build towers of our own,” Way sings in “The Foundations of Decay.” After My Chemical Romance’s 2013 breakup, Way released a solo album, Hesitant Alien, as well as a multitude of comic books, singles, and various works of art. Rhythm guitarist Frank Iero breathed life back into previous musical projects, as well as revived his role as frontman in frnkiero andthe cellabration, Frank Iero and the Patience, and Frank Iero and the Future Violents. Bassist Mikey Way sent the world into sonic shock with his band Electric Century and dived into the world of comics, and Ray Toro released his stunning debut solo record, Remember The Laughter, which spotlighted the lead guitarist’s incomparable talent. All four members built families and creative worlds of their own while they were away, and they’ve all returned to look after the eternal flame that is My Chemical Romance.
Musically, “The Foundations of Decay’ is lightly reminiscent of the band’s earlier works, but it has elements that have never been fully accessed until now. It’s heavy yet uplifting, dark but truthful. It’s everything intensely great about the band, with a spark of something entirely new. “He gets to die a saint, but she will always be the whore,” Way sings, perhaps in reference to the biblical Whore of Babylon, who held “a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.” This line is one that cuts, commenting on the often violent, vehement condemnation of women for acts that sanctify men. “Let it flood, let it flood, let it wash away,” Way pleads.
The band will embark on extensive touring beginning May 16th, which will bring them everywhere from Milton Keynes to New Jersey to Los Angeles. Information regarding the tour can be found on @themychemicalromancearchive on Instagram, where there are links to accessibility information, updated tour dates, and more. @mcrofficialst is another reliable source for updates on the band.
While the band has been in physical existence for 21 years, My Chemical Romance is an idea that has existed, and will continue to peruse the universe, forever. It’s hope, unrelenting devotion, death, and rebirth. It’s the dirtying, purification, and re-dirtying of the soul. It’s the human ability to hurt and be hurt, to love and be loved. It’s grace wrapped in gracelessness, imperfection draped in gold. My Chemical Romance is immortality running at full speed towards renewed life.