Des Rocs Recorded His New Album Live in New York. The Result Is ‘To Hell and Back’

Des Rocs has built a reputation on distortion and theatricality, but his new album represents a deliberate step away from studio precision. To Hell and Back, out now, was tracked live in New York City—the full band performing together, the room’s sound baked into the recordings. It’s a choice that puts the 11-track collection somewhere between a concert document and a studio album, prioritizing feel over perfection.

The follow-up to 2023’s Dream Machine, To Hell and Back aims for a kind of classic hard rock enormity. Danny Rocco, the artist behind the project, described it as “a sonic explosion that would hit like a freight train.” The lead single “The Juice” sets that tone early, but the emphasis on live chemistry echoes across the entire record. It’s a reminder that even in an era of infinite overdubs, there’s a distinct force when a band commits to a take.

The album arrives with fall tour dates scheduled across the UK and Europe. Vinyl and CD editions are available now. Rocco’s instinct to leave in the chaos and the humanity might read as a small rebellion against heavily produced rock records—or simply as a musician trusting the sound he already had.