Chiodos Is Back: Inside ‘TAPDAT,’ Their First New Single in 12 Years

If you’ve been following the scene for a while, you already know Chiodos was never just a passing fad or a byproduct of a single era. Right at the beating heart of it all is Craig Owens, whose unmistakable voice and raw, confessional energy have always managed to turn absolute chaos into catharsis.

Back in 2001, Owens cofounded the band, naming them after the Chiodo Brothers—the cult geniuses behind Killer Klowns from Outer Space—and quietly kicked off a movement built entirely on an adventurous, rule-breaking attitude.

Now, after a long-awaited reunion that saw them celebrating the 20th anniversary of All’s Well That Ends Well, Chiodos is officially back. They’ve signed with SharpTone Records and just dropped “TAPDAT” marking their very first piece of original music in 12 years.

Breaking Down ‘TAPDAT’

Produced by Keith Sorrells (who’s worked with everyone from Demi Lovato to Jutes), “TAPDAT” feels like both a homecoming and a leap into the unknown. It’s technical, bruising, and completely unpredictable.

The track wastes zero time, kicking off with frantic guitars, driving percussion, and Owens’s signature soaring vocals. As the track opens up, it pulls you in with huge, cinematic dynamics and a chorus that sticks right in your head:

“Can you pull me into focus in your absence of emotion? Can you pull me into focus? And it’s bittersweet as a symphony…”

It manages to strike that rare balance—nodding to the grit of their early post-hardcore days while pushing things somewhere entirely new, ending on a massive breakdown that proves they haven’t lost a step.

A Story 12 Years in the Making

Talking about the new era and joining forces with SharpTone Records, Owens explained what brought him back to the fold:

“There is still so much work to be done to build out the world of Chiodos. ‘TAPDAT’ is the first step in that direction. Its return to our ethos is what drew me back to creating with this band, and you can feel it throughout every minute of the song. An unapologetic, experimental ride that pulls you in every step of the way.”

“As for the future of Chiodos, I’m surrounded by incredible talent. We are stronger, more focused than ever and eager to continue the story I’ve been waiting 12 years to tell.”

Catch Them Live

Along with the single, the band dropped a striking music video directed by Zak Pinchin and are currently hitting the road for a massive North American tour with support from 156/silence, sace6, and Second Harbour.