Miss May I Announce New Album No Place For Me

"Hand Me A Halo" and the Narrative of Identity

The Ohio-based Metalcore band Miss May I has returned with a new single titled "Hand Me A Halo," accompanied by a music video. The track is described as a gritty, guitar-forward composition featuring furious vocals and a prominent melody. According to vocalist Levi Benton, the song explores deeply personal themes regarding mental health and the shifting seasons of life.

"'Hand Me A Halo' tells the self-narrative of losing one's sense of self and dealing with the intrusive thoughts that come with it. This song came from our own confusion and loss of identity through the changing seasons of life. The fear can be constant, leaving you to question if you just want someone to hand you a halo."

— Levi Benton

The single serves as a preview for the upcoming full-length album, No Place For Me, which arrives on October 2. Benton describes the recording and writing process as a cathartic experience that allowed him to confront his true self.

"'No Place For Me' is everything I've felt for a long time but never had the words for. Writing it taught me who I actually am even when that hurt to look at. It's a full journey: Where it started, what I discovered, and where I am today."

— Levi Benton

Evolution of the Lineup and Sound

The upcoming album marks a significant transition for the group following the departure of founding guitarists B.J. Stead and Justin Aufdemkampe in 2024. The band welcomed Elisha Mullins into the lineup, shifting the group's dynamic to a four-piece. In a December 2025 interview with the Vulgar Display Of Podcast, Benton reflected on the challenges and creative opportunities presented by this change.

"We knew the lineup was changing, we knew we were doing everything, but it was sort of traumatizing to us, 'cause, obviously, we didn't want the original lineup to change. So that whole thing was just sort of a mess. And Elisha was amazing. He was a fill-in before he became part of the band. And we [went] into the studio and then we worked with Elisha for the first time and we were dumbfounded, because we've been with the original lineup since high school."

— Levi Benton

Operating as a quartet has led the band to experiment with new sonic textures, including the use of soundscapes and keyboards. Benton noted that because they are "down a person," they have leaned into creating different rhythms and atmospheric layers that were previously absent from their music. Nick Sampson, who has worked with the band since their second album Monument, continues to serve as a consistent instrumental contributor and "judge" for their guitar work.

A New Chapter with Solid State Records

The release of No Place For Me follows the band's move to Solid State Records in 2024. Benton has praised the label for their flexible approach to deadlines, allowing the band to focus on perfecting the material rather than rushing to meet industry standards. This new era began with the 15th-anniversary re-recording of Apologies Are For The Weak, which featured guest appearances from members of August Burns Red, Bleeding Through, and Carnifex.

"It's unreal. I wish I started a band like this 15 years ago. Not that everyone's always cracking the whip, but we were just so busy all the time and there was such hard deadlines all the time, which I get, but it's also, like, who knows if that's gonna be the best album? Or who knows if you worked hard enough? ... It's so weird to get off a call and they're just, like, 'Take your time. It'll be done when it's done.'"

— Levi Benton

The album rollout has been described as an "experiment," with the band intending to treat each song as special. The previously released single "Pray For Silence," which arrived in August 2025, is considered the "ballad" of the record, showcasing a more melodic side of the band's repertoire before the heavier tracks take center stage.

No Place For Me Track Listing

The upcoming album consists of 10 tracks:

• 01. Sanctuary

• 02. Portrait Of Pain

• 03. Hand Me A Halo

• 04. Pray For Silence

• 05. Death Threat

• 06. Die On The Vine

• 07. Fire Falls

• 08. Bury Me Down

• 09. Ases Of The Altar

• 10. Highbrow Thieves

Band Background and Legacy

Since their formation in 2007, the band has established a significant presence in the heavy music scene. Their 2012 release At Heart reached No. 32 on the Billboard 200, while subsequent albums Deathless (2015) and Shadows Inside (2017) both secured Top 10 positions on the Billboard Top Independent Albums and Top Rock Albums charts. Their most recent full-length, 2022's Curse Of Existence, garnered critical acclaim for its "heartfelt rage" and aggressive thrash influences. Over the years, the group has accumulated hundreds of millions of streams and toured alongside major acts such as Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive, and Motionless In White.