If you are looking for a band that is reminiscent of the bygone days of childhood, has a sound similar to the pop/punk movement of the ‘90s, but contains technical talent past the usual raw, minimalist style, allow me a moment to introduce you to a group that rose from the mossy grave of melodic death metal band Light This City: Heartsounds.

A punk band from California, Heartsounds started a five week tour through the U.S. and Canada July 6 to celebrate the major release of their sophomore album Drifter, which drops July 26 on Epitaph Records. The band will be making a stop in DeKalb July 15 at The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.

The quartet consists of Ben Murray, Laura Nichol (both on vocals and guitar, and formerly of Light This City), along with Trey Derbes (drums) and Kyle Camarillo (bass). Murray defined Heartsounds’ style and listed influences from classic punk bands.

“It is fast, melodic, technical punk rock in the vein of Strung Out, A Wilhelm Scream, and Propagandhi,” Murray said. “Throw some Bad Religion and Hot Water Music in there and you basically have our sound. I think it’s fun, but slightly progressive punk rock for fans of that ‘90’s Epitaph, [Fat Wreck Chords] sound.”

The finished combination is a blend of simultaneously charming and blistering vocals, sweet-sounding, poppy guitar work and the thumping drum beat that has come to be expected of punk rock. In their past work on Until We Surrender, “Walking Dead” shows Heartsounds’ blend of interests and musical background: a pop/punk tune with a heavy metallic breakdown in the middle of the song, catching the listener off guard. And Murray said that Drifter is just getting heavier.

“It’s a bit faster than Until We Surrender,” Murray said. “Whereas most bands go slower and more stripped down, we are just trying to push ourselves musically and lyrically, which seems to have worked out pretty well on this new record.”

Just as Heartsounds have resisted the sophomoric tendency to go clichéd and acoustic, Murray said the project’s message remains plain and humble.

“We just want to have fun and not take anything too seriously because, at the end of the day, it’s just a punk band,” Murray said. “We’re not gonna change the world and we’re not gonna be the biggest band ever, but if kids can relate to what we’re saying and can enjoy themselves while singing along to our record or at a live show, that’s all we can really ask for.”

Overall, Heartsounds’ music is like a love letter to the genre, hailing Murray and Nichol’s return to their childhood love affair after so many years in the metal scene. Their infusion of qualities found in metal music with the traditional punk rock sound serves to create a refreshing listen for punk lovers, casual music listeners, and everyone in between. Because Heartsounds was born from Light This city, one might assume that Heartsounds is a temporary stepping stone for Murray and Nichol; but, when asked if a new project was in the works, Murray said no way.

“This band will definitely be around for a while,” he said. “We love playing this style of punk rock and can’t foresee ourselves doing anything else musically for a long time.”