The Sound of Animals Fighting members each discuss a “top 5” album

Experimental post-hardcore supergroup The Sound of Animals Fighting are gearing up to release The Maiden–their first full-length album in 17 years, and first new music since 2022’s Apeshit EP–this Friday (9/12) via Born Losers Records. Ahead of the release, band members Rich Balling (also of Pyramids), Matt Embree (RX Bandits), Steve Choi (RX Bandits), Christopher Tsagakis (RX Bandits), and Anthony Green (Circa Survive, Saosin, L.S. Dunes) all told us about an album that they’d consider a “top 5” album.

Most members chose classic records and/or formative influences, while Anthony chose a much newer record that he said he was listening to a lot during the making of The Maiden: the debut EP by rising shoegazer Wisp. Matt’s pick was a Black Sabbath album and came with a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. Check out the video below to see all of their picks and what they had to say about each one.

The Maiden will be out in just a few days, but meanwhile three songs are out now. Check them out below, and pre-order the album here.

TSOAF also have an upcoming tour with the stacked support lineup of This Will Destroy You and The Casket Lottery (who just released their new album) on all dates, plus support from Steve Choi’s other supergroup Hard Chiller on one leg and Soft Blue Shimmer on the other. The leg with Soft Blue Shimmer hits NYC’s Webster Hall on October 5. All dates are listed below.

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THE SOUND OF ANIMALS FIGHTING: 2025 TOUR DATES
9/25 SEATTLE, WA – NEPTUNE*
9/26 PORTLAND, OR – ROSELAND THEATER*
9/27 SACRAMENTO, CA – ACE OF SPADES*
9/28 ANAHEIM, CA – HOUSE OF BLUES*
9/29 LOS ANGELES, CA – THE ROXY* (No Casket Lottery)
10/2 WORCESTER, MA – PALLADIUM’
10/3 SILVER SPRING, MD – THE FILLMORE^
10/4 PHILADELPHIA, PA – UNION TRANSFER^
10/5 NYC, NY – WEBSTER HALL^
10/10 SAN ANTONIO, TX – PAPER TIGER^
10/11 DALLAS, TX – STUDIO AT THE BOMB FACTORY^
10/12 HOUSTON, TX – HOUSE OF BLUES ^

ALL DATES WITH THIS WILL DESTROY YOU & THE CASKET LOTTERY
* W/ HARD CHILLER ^ W/ SOFT BLUE SHIMMER