It's only been a year since Of Mice & Men released Defy, their fifth studio album and first since the departure of singer Austin Carlile. After spending the Fall in the studio, they've unleashed their first new song of the year, "How to Survive," which can be heard above.

This one doesn't feature any clean vocals as bassist / singer Aaron Pauley deploys his mid-range barks with clarity, never compromising in angst. There's a push and pull dynamic to the riffing on "How to Survive," with a scream-along chorus that's about smashing opposition.

"'How to Survive' is an anthem for those who have been the receiving end of unmerited and targeted hatred and abuse," commented Pauley. "It's for the kid who was bullied, beat up, and ignored in school. It's for the teenager who was told that they'll never amount to anything and that their thoughts, feelings, and opinions don't matter to the world. It's for the person who has been told that they're worthless, useless, or not good enough, time and time again. It's for the person who's repeatedly been targeted by those who only seek to tear others around them down."

He continued, "This song is for them. This song is for me. I am them, and I'm still standing. So, turn it up. Feel the rage. If you, too, are that person, you will know it well, and it will greet you like an old friend."

Of Mice & Men worked with producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium) on the new material. A new album is expected to arrive sometime in 2019. In the meantime, catch them on tour in the U.S. at the dates listed below.

Of Mice & Men, "How To Survive" Artwork

Rise Records
Rise Records
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Of Mice & Men 2019 U.S. Tour Dates

With: Nothing More
Feb. 21 — Phoenix, Ariz. @ The Van Buren
Feb. 22 — Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Belasco
Feb. 23 — Sacramento, Calif. @ Ace of Spades
Feb. 25 — Salt Lake City, Utah @ The Depot
Feb. 26 — Denver, Colo. @ Ogden Theatre
Feb. 28 — Oklahoma City, Okla. @ Diamond Ballroom
March 01 — Kansas City, Mo. @ The Truman
March 02 — Minneapolis, Minn. @ Skyway Theatre
March 03 — Chicago, Ill. @ The Vic Theatre
March 06 — Grand Rapids. Mich. @ 20 Monroe
March 07 — Pittsburgh, Penn. @ Stage AE
March 08 — Philadelphia, Penn. @ The Fillmore
March 10 — New York, N.Y. @ Playstation Theater
March 11 — New Haven, Conn. @ Toad’s Place
March 12 — Boston, Mass. @ House of Blues
March 13 — Silver Spring, Md. @ The Fillmore
March 15 — Charlotte, N.C. @ The Fillmore
March 16 — Atlanta, Ga. @ Buckhead Theater
March 17 — Tampa, Fla. @ The Ritz
March 19 — New Orleans, La. @ The Fillmore
March 20 — Houston, Texas @ Revention Center
March 22 — Dallas, Texas @ Southside Ballroom
March 23 — San Antonio, Texas @ Aztec Theatre

With: Beartooth, Hands Like Houses, Dead American
April 19 — Fargo, ND — Sanctuary Event Center
April 20 — Sioux City, IA — Anthem at Hard Rock Casino
April 21 — Wichita, KS — Cotillion
April 23 — Des Moines, IA — Wooly's
April 24 — Springfield, MO — The Complex
April 25 — Memphis, TN — Minglewood
April 27 — Houston, TX — So What?! Music Festival
April 28 — New Orleans, LA — Southport Hall
April 30 — Nashville, TN — Cannery Ballroom
May 01 — Birmingham, AL — Iron City
May 03 — Jacksonville, FL — Welcome to Rockville*
May 04 — Pensacola, FL — Vinyl Music Hall
May 06 — Knoxville, TN — The Mill & Mine
May 08 — Louisville, KY — Mercury Ballroom
May 09 — Lancaster, PA — Chameleon Club
May 10 — Rockingham, NC — Epicenter Festival*
May 12 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
May 13 — Poughkeepsie, NY — The Chance
May 14 — Providence, RI — The Strand
May 15 — Buffalo, NY — Town Ballroom
May 17 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple Festival*
May 18 — Chicago, IL — Chicago Open Air+
* No Of Mice & Men, Dead American
+Beartooth Only

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