Conflict DLC

Last updated
Conflict DLC
Conflict DLC.jpg
Studio album by
Health
ReleasedDecember 11, 2025
Studio
  • Venice Way
  • Martinsound [1]
Genre
Length39:21
Label Loma Vista
Producer Stint
Health chronology
Rat Wars
(2023)		Conflict DLC
(2025)
Singles from Conflict DLC
  1. "Ordinary Loss"
    Released: September 11, 2025
  2. "Vibe Cop"
    Released: October 3, 2025
  3. "Thought Leader"
    Released: October 23, 2025
  4. "You Died"
    Released: November 6, 2025
  5. "Shred Envy"
    Released: November 21, 2025
  6. "Antidote"
    Released: December 8, 2025

Conflict DLC is the sixth studio album by American industrial rock band Health. It was released on December 11, 2025, through Loma Vista Recordings, receiving positive reviews.

Contents

Background and recording

Conflict DLC is presented as a continuation of Health's previous album Rat Wars , with the album art depicting the track listing as a C and D side; the album's name is a reference to downloadable content in video gaming. [2] The material originated during sessions for Rat Wars, but eventually only three leftover songs were retained. [3] Initially, it was intended to release as a double album, but singer Jacob Duszik said that the format was "exclusively considered a good idea by the people who release them". [4]

Like Rat Wars, Conflict DLC is produced by Stint. [4] [5] However, Health chose to recruit Drew Fulk to mix the album as they liked his work on Knocked Loose's most recent record, You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To . [4] Lars Stalfors is also credited with mixing work on the album. [6] Willie Adler of Lamb of God, who was previously featured on Rat Wars, was recruited to fix a riff that Perturbator described as "dogshit" during a listening session. [3]

Composition

The album has been described as having elements of industrial metal and electronic music. [7] [8] It is sonically similar to Rat Wars; Raul Stanciu of Sputnikmusic called it a "direct follow up", and Duszik stated it has an identical "sonic palette". [7] [4] The latter described it as still being "distinctive", calling it "more uptempo", and "more aggressive and more desperate, but... also more fun"; [4] the change towards a heavier sound being partially influenced by other bands that were scheduled to perform at Knotfest in Australia. [3]

Promotion and release

The album was announced alongside the first single "Ordinary Loss" on 11 September 2025. [6] This was followed by "Vibe Cop", featuring Adler, on October 3. [9] "Thought Leader" was released on October 23, "You Died" on November 6, "Shred Envy" on November 21, and "Antidote" on December 8. [10] [11] [12] [13] The complete album was released on 11 December 2025 via Loma Vista Recordings. [14]

Reception

DIY magazine reviewer Joe Goggins described Conflict DLC as a "purification" of their previous work, and Stanciu stated it was "more organic" and possessed tracks that "hit harder" than those of Rat Wars. [7] [15] Metal Hammer writer Matt Mills commended Drew Fulk's presence on the album, comparing the heavier moments on the album to an "all-consuming detonation". [8] Ben Scanga of Spill Magazine praised the album for its thematic content, describing it as a "laser beam of ambition and compassionate energy". [16]

Tracklist

All lyrics are written by Jacob Duzsik.

Conflict DLC track listing [1]
No.TitleLength
1."Ordinary Loss"3:53
2."Burn the Candles"3:14
3."Vibe Cop"2:53
4."Trash Decade"2:35
5."Torture II"1:07
6."Antidote"3:04
7."Darkage"3:11
8."Shred Envy"3:43
9."You Died"3:24
10."Thought Leader"3:22
11."Don't Kill Yourself"2:35
12."Wasted Years"6:20
Total length:39:21

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and Tidal. [1] [17]

Health

Additional contributors

  • Stint – production (all tracks), programming (1–4, 6–12), keyboards (1, 3–6, 8–12), bass guitar (2, 7, 8), guitar (3, 4, 8, 11, 12)
  • Anthony Dolhai – engineering
  • Wzrd Bld – mixing (1–4, 7, 8, 10–12), guitar (1, 4, 8, 10)
  • Lars Stalfors – mixing (5, 6, 9)
  • Jeff Dunne – mixing assistance (1–4, 7, 8, 10–12)
  • Hamish Patrick – engineering assistance (5, 6, 9)
  • Ruairi O'Flaherty – mastering
  • Matthew "Hoju" Neighbour – drum engineering, immersive mixing
  • Mynxii White – interior photography
  • Richie Valdez – exterior photography
  • Joe McKinney – artwork, package design, creative direction
  • Swarm – synthesizers, guitars (1, 7)
  • Leo Ashline – background vocals (1, 6, 8, 10)
  • Nick Long – guitar (1, 3)
  • Willie Adler – guitar (3)
  • Brutei – additional production (4)
  • Sarah Graves – guitar (8, 12)
  • Corin Roddick – synthesizers (11)

Charts

Chart performance for Conflict DLC
Chart (2025)Peak
position
French Rock & Metal Albums (SNEP) [18] 79
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [19] 19
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) [20] 35

References

  1. 1 2 3 Conflict DLC (Media notes). Health. Lorna Vista Recordings. December 11, 2025.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ↑ Pearlman, Mischa (10 December 2025). "HEALTH: "We're not pushing any political bullsh*t other than some…". Kerrang!. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Mack, Emmy (19 December 2025). "From Bonus EP To Sonic Apocalypse: Inside HEALTH's New Album 'CONFLICT DLC'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Trendell, Andrew (11 September 2025). "HEALTH on the digital dystopia and new album 'Conflict DLC': "More uptempo, more bangers, more fun"". NME . Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  5. ↑ Hadusek, Jon (11 September 2025). "HEALTH Announce New Album CONFLICT DLC, Unleash "ORDINARY LOSS"". Consequence. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 Adams, Gregory (11 September 2025). "HEALTH announce new album with mournful anthem "Ordinary Loss"". Revolver. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Stanciu, Raul. "Review: HEALTH - Conflict DLC". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  8. 1 2 Mills, Matt (13 December 2025). ""The world is awful – refusing to have a boogie won't make anything better, though": Sleep Token-backed industrial champions Health dance in the face of despair on new album Conflict DLC". Louder.
  9. ↑ Adams, Gregory (3 October 2025). "Hear LAMB OF GOD's WILLIE ADLER join HEALTH on MINISTRY-esque new song "Vibe Cop"". Revolver. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Stoddard, Cait (6 November 2025). "HEALTH Unveil Gloomy New Single & Video "You Died"". mxdwn Music. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  11. ↑ Keenan, Hesher (23 October 2025). "Health Release Totally Not Bleak "Thought Leader"". MetalSucks. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  12. ↑ Kaufman, Spencer (20 November 2025). "HEALTH Unveil Single "SHRED ENVY" Ahead of New Album and 2026 Tour". Consequence. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  13. ↑ Keenan, Hesher (8 December 2025). "Health Have the "Antidote" to Monday Boredom with New Track and Music Video". MetalSucks. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  14. ↑ Breihan, Tom (11 September 2025). "HEALTH Announce New Album 'Conflict DLC': Hear "Ordinary Loss"". Stereogum. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  15. ↑ Goggins, Joe (10 December 2025). "HEALTH - Conflict DLC". DIY. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  16. ↑ Scanga, Ben (11 December 2025). "SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HEALTH - CONFLICT DLC". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "Conflict DLC / Health / Credits". Tidal . Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Top Rock & Metal Albums (semaine du 19 décembre 2025)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique . Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 12/12/2025 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart on 19/12/2025 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
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