Flint metalcore group War on the Horizon is entering a new phase with a refreshed lineup, a newly presented EP and a growing slate of Michigan performances. What began as a limited side project for guitarist and vocalist Matt McConnell has developed into a full-fledged band with an identity rooted in contrast: melodic singing alongside aggressive vocals, polished hooks against heavy riffs, and personal reflection delivered with force. The group’s recent momentum reflects a broader resurgence of regional heavy music, where local acts increasingly use digital releases, independent promotion and frequent live shows to build audiences beyond their hometowns.
McConnell first assembled musicians around a single in 2019, though the band formally took shape two years later. Its sound began to solidify in 2024, when vocalists Madison McConnell and Tyler joined guitarist Andy, known for his work with The Headless, and bassist Dave. The lineup gave the project a wider emotional and sonic range, pairing Madison’s clean vocals with Tyler’s harsher approach. McConnell said the transition happened unexpectedly after the former singer departed, opening an immediate opportunity for his daughter to step into the role.
Madison’s arrival has made War on the Horizon one of the relatively few female-fronted heavy acts working in Flint’s local scene. Her vocal style brings melody and atmosphere to music otherwise driven by dense guitar work and forceful percussion, while Tyler’s screamed passages preserve the intensity expected in metalcore. That combination follows a long-running evolution in the genre, which has increasingly embraced singers capable of moving between accessible choruses and uncompromising heaviness. Artists such as Evanescence helped demonstrate the commercial and creative reach of female-led rock and metal projects, while newer underground bands continue to expand that legacy in regional markets.
The band’s name carries the central idea behind its songwriting. McConnell describes the “war” as the private struggles people face, including financial pressure, relationship problems, grief, conflict and uncertainty about the future. Rather than treating those experiences as distant abstractions, the group aims to write songs that listeners can turn to during difficult periods. That approach connects War on the Horizon to metalcore’s history as a genre often shaped by catharsis, vulnerability and community, even when the music itself is confrontational and loud.
The latest version of the band’s EP, “We The Broken,” sharpens that message while giving the release a new visual presentation. The project had appeared previously, but the group updated its artwork to align with its new website and added the track “The Night” for the re-release in June. McConnell views the additional song as an essential part of the record’s overall arc, offering a shift back toward heavier territory after the more melodic moments elsewhere on the EP. The refreshed package also illustrates a common independent-music strategy: revisiting existing work to introduce it to new listeners and establish a clearer brand as a band evolves.
The collection opens with “The Color of Our Caskets,” a song designed to set an immediate tone for live audiences. McConnell said the arrangement moves from a hard-hitting entrance into a more delicate bridge led by Madison’s voice before returning to its heavier foundation. “Get Along” follows with a more rhythmic, punk-influenced guitar attack, while “One Horse Town” gives the clean vocals greater room in a pop-metal ballad setting. “The Night” serves as a thematic reset, centering on the possibility of beginning again after enduring a difficult night.
The closing title track, “We the Broken,” brings together the group’s central musical strengths through large choruses, darker verses and contrasting vocal performances. McConnell said the EP was designed to offer different entry points for listeners rather than remain in one stylistic lane. That breadth may prove valuable as the band seeks to connect with both dedicated metal audiences and fans drawn to melodic alternative rock. In a crowded independent scene, versatility can help bands earn bills with artists from several adjacent genres while still maintaining a recognizable sound.
War on the Horizon plans to support the release with a busy run of summer and early fall dates across Michigan. The group is scheduled to appear at The Sanctuary in Detroit on Aug. 6 alongside Heathen, Shadow of the Talisman and Void, followed by an Aug. 8 date at Vexed Venue with Ashes Of Ice and The Lion Within. Additional appearances include a Aug. 14 opening slot for Primer 55 and 40 Below Summer at Flint’s Machine Shop, Michigan Mud Jam on Aug. 19, and a Sept. 12 hometown-area performance at Flint Local 432 with The Headless and Shadow of the Talisman. For the band, the performances offer more than promotion for a recording; they provide a chance to strengthen the personal connection at the heart of its music.