Album Review: The Division Men to drop star studded album Hymns and Fiery Dances August 22

El Paso duo, The Division Men haven’t released an album in eight years. Their last album, Ninos Del Sol, was released in 2018 and featured a star-studded lineup of musicians; Rafael Gayol (Leonard Cohen), Steven Hufsteter (The Quick, Tito & Tarantula), Jay Reynolds (Asleep at the Wheel), and Jake Garcia (Black Angels) to name a few. Their new album, Hymns and Fiery Dances is nothing short of genius. The record drops August 22 everywhere you listen to music.

Before we get to the album review, let’s backtrack a bit and provide some band history. Before The Division Men, members J. Spencer Portillo and Caroline Rippy were well-known figures in their respective punk scenes.

Jesus Portillo, a musician known for his work in the El Paso band The Fla Flas, moved to Berlin, Germany and eventually formed the prototype version of The Division Men. Caroline Rippy, a San Antonio based musician played bass in bands such as Left Hand Lucy, Second To None, and The Dispicables. In 2007 Rippy joined Tito & Tarantula as their bassist, led by Tito Larriva, a founding member of the groundbreaking Latino punk band The Plugz (1977).  Legend has it, it was during Tito & Tarantula’s tour stops in Germany that fate brought Portillo and Rippy together, setting the stage for their musical partnership. The duo married and launched The Division Men, releasing two albums, touring Europe and the U.S. As the pair set out to release Hymns and Fiery Dances, they are once again going on an expansive European tour in support of their new album. Find tour dates below.

Let’s get to breaking down The Division Men’s haunting western album, Hymns and Fiery Dances. The album features an array of musicians who in their own right have successful careers; Beto Martinez (Grupo Fantasma, Money Chicha), Fredo Ortiz (Beastie Boys, Los Lobos) and Peter Hayes (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) all appear on the record in addition to others. The album feels refreshing, carving out its own space amid a mountain of albums that play to the same tired barrage of loud guitars, reinventing the same song over and over. This record feels different than that.

The album track listing tells a story filed with mystery and cautionary tales opening with “Cemetery Girl,” setting vivid imagery for what is to come. With a driving rhythm, a staccato cello manifests an anxious feeling as if something is lurking just out of sight. Bells provide a momentary sense of calm while Rippy’s voice guides you through perfectly placed percussion instruments as the track culminates in a dramatic burst of strings, giving the song a powerful and haunting identity. While Rippy’s lyrics begs the question “Where did you go Cemetery Girl?, Don’t let it be the last time” 

“San Saba” continues with a haunting aesthetic, this time Jesus takes the lead as if he was a wise man warning you on what lies ahead. The opening lines “ I know holes in San Saba, I’ve been told about you, the owl stands bold in San Saba”, deliver a prologue leading to Caroline’s hard hitting vocals, “Damned to whoever do”. The bridge climaxes into a waterfall of sound driven by frantic piano intensity.

“The Night Calls” continues the feeling for survival, as if chasing the last train headed for salvation. This leads into the beautifully crafted “The Undertow,” where Spanish-style guitar rhythms and solos take the lead, with Rippy’s vocals sounding more commanding and confident. 

“Dead Moon” is full of emotion, with a combination of rhythms, strings are enveloped into an orchestral piece of music. Each instrument played with meaning and showcased at the perfect moment.

The album slows the tempo with “Dolores,” which introduces The Division Men’s signature sound: a haunting, measured, and delicate track built on a massive “wall of sound.” The bridge breaks the song down to vocal simplicity while building up to a dramatic ending.  As the album comes to a close with “Leonora” and an increased tempo and an uplifting feeling of redemption. The track is beautifully rendered, as if a dramatic, colorful, vibrant sunset had been translated into sound.

Overall, Hymns and Fiery Dances is a masterfully crafted seven-track album. It is best experienced with headphones and the lights off, letting the music take over.  The Division Men may have taken a while to put this album together, but it is most definitely a masterpiece.

Hymns and Fiery Dances will be available on LP, CD and for download on August 22 via Motor Music and Buena Buena. Listeners can pre-order vinyl and CDs HERE.

Catch The Division Men in Austin on Friday August 15 at Vinyl Beauty Bar with  Semihelix and DJ Jake Garcia (Black Angels). Tickets will be available at the door.

Tour Dates:

U.S. Dates:

08.17.2025     San Antonio, TX @ Faust Tavern

08.22.2025     El Paso, TX @ Love Buzz

Europe Dates:

17.09.2025     Berlin, DE @ Terzo Mondo

18.09.2025     Potsdam, DE @ Kunsthaus Sans Titre

19.09.2025     Berlin, DE @ Wiener Blut

20.09.2025     Leszno, PL @  Zakład

21.09.2025     Kraków, PL @ Chicago Bar

23.09.2025     Prague, CZ @ Čítárna Unijazz

24.09.2025     Liberec, CZ @ Club Stamina

25.09.2025     Szczecin, PL @ Pub Dublin

26.09.2025     Hamburg, DE @ Prismeo Theatre

27.09.2025     Bremerhaven, DE @ Kulturwerkstatt hinter Alberts Huus

28.09.2025     Schwanewede, DE @ Schwaneweder Wohnzimmerkonzerte

29.09.2025     Overwarfe, DE @ Hof am Siel

01.10.2025     Freiburg im Breisgau, DE @ Artik

02.10.2025     Augsburg, DE @ Rheingold

03.10.2025     Bern, CH @ Plan B Records

04.10.2025     Saarbruecken, DE @ Terminus

05.10.2025     Darmstadt, DE @ Gute Stube

06.10.2025     Arbon, CH @ Irish Pub 9320

07.10.2025     Rheineck, CH @ Irish Pub 9424

08.10.2025     Lucerne, CH @ Ravioli Bar

09.10.2025     Geneva, CH @ Urgence Disk Records

10.10.2025     Annecy, FR @ Bistro Des Tilleuls

11.10.2025     Varese, IT @ Al Cedro

14.10.2025     Dubrovnik, HR @ Fat Bastard

15.10.2025     Split, HR @ Academia Club Ghetto

16.10.2025     Postojna, SI @ Boem Bar

17.10.2025     Bologna, IT @ Efesto

18.10.2025     Morrovalle, IT @ Drunk In Public

19.10.2025     Chieti, IT @ Old Tower Jungle

21.10.2025     Aversa, IT @ Giardini di Marzo

22.10.2025     Viterbo, IT @ Al Settantasette

24.10.2025     Toulon, FR @ Bar de Halle

25.10.2025     Carcassonne, FR @ Du Vin & Des Vinyles

26.10.2025     Dax, FR @ Brewsocial Club

27.10.2025     Burgos, SP @ El Sotano Cultural

29.10.2025     Praia de Esmoriz, PT @ Uncle Joe’s

30.10.2025     Faro, PT @ Palimpsestu

31.10.2025     Lisbon, PT @ ADF

01.10.2025     Alverca do Ribatejo, PT @ Entre Linhas

02.11.2025     Coimbra, PT @ Gremio Operario de Coimbra

04.11.2025     Sopela, SP @ La Atalaia del Gardoki

05.11.2025     Vitoria-Gasteiz, SP @ Abisinia

06.11.2025     Burlada, SP @ Black Rose

07.11.2025     Angoulême, FR @ Pepper Stage

08.11.2025     Châtellerault, FR @ La Station

09.11.2025     Caen, FR @ Portobello Rock Club

10.11.2025     Gent, BE @ Missy Sippy

12.11.2025     Paris, FR @ Le 34

14.11.2025     Stuttgart, DE @ Laboratorium

15.11.2025     Enkirch, DE @ Tom’s Musik-Keller

16.11.2025     Höhr-Grenzhausen, DE @ Cafe Libre

17.11.2025     Wiesbaden, DE @ der Weinländer

18.11.2025     Düsseldorf, DE @ Ratinger Hof

19.11.2025     Bonn, DE @ Kult 41

20.11.2025     Eindhoven, NL @ Stage Music Cafe

21.11.2025     Wildemann, DE @ Gemeindehaus Wildemann

22.11.2025     Fritzlar, DE @ Cafe Hahn

25.11.2025     Calw, DE @ Kultur-Apotheke

27.11.2025     Aumuhle, DE @ In The Woods

28.11.2025     Berlin, DE @ Cafe Tasso

29.11.2025     Seegebiet Mansfelder Land, DE @ Wassermuehle Röblingen Am See

30.11.2025     Berlin, DE    @ Zimmer 16

U.S. Dates:

12.12.2025     Los Angeles, CA @ Redwood Bar

12.13.2025     Lakeside, CA @ Hacienda On The Hill

All photos and images courtesy of The Division Men