The Menstrual Cramps – Abortion
Potentiality one of UK punk’s most provocative bands – and for good reason – The Menstrual Cramps are back with ‘Abortion’, a rallying call for reproductive rights everywhere. Coinciding with their signing to Alcopop! Records, the track is the full encapsulation of what makes The Menstrual Cramps such an urgent and crucial figure in 2024; it’s urgent, frank, rightfully furious and inescapable. “I wrote the song ‘Abortion’ when debates started happening in the run up to the Roe v Wade overturn in America”, states vocalist Emilia Elfrida. “Roe v Wade had guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion, that was subsequently overturned in 2022, denying millions of people the right to have an abortion in America. Although in England abortion is legal, you still need to get two doctors’ permission and specific grounds need to be met. You cannot legally have an abortion in England just because you want one. This song is a response to these archaic rules, and for me to break the taboos around having abortions, to open up discussions about my experiences having had two abortions, and to fight for everyone to have the right to have abortions. As the song says ‘I’ve had an abortion, no I’ve had two, if you don’t like it, then fuck you.” – Dan Hillier
Hand of Kalliach – Fell Reigns
The husband/wife Scottish folk/melodeath duo Hand of Kalliach have announced their signing to Prosthetic Records, along with a new album and its first single, ‘Fell Reigns’. The amalgamation of Celtic folklore, stirring Gaelic folk music and extreme metal proves a fertile ground and one that’s extremely compelling. ‘Fell Reigns’ pairs haunting melodies with guttural roars, searing lead guitar with some traditional instrumentation and a progressive sensibility that twists and turns the combination into spine-tingling forms. – Will Marshall
Since Torino – Everything Else
Countrygaze? Slowfolk? Libarycore? However you want to describe this, the new single from Sheffield’s Since Torino is a tender and gorgeous slab of minimalist sentimentalism that pulls upon the heartstrings with effortless ease. Cosily reminiscing thoughts of acts such as Foxing, Sparky Deathcap and other emo-adjacent acts that make brilliant use of quiet negative space, ‘Everything Else’ is one of those tracks perfectly engineered for those still, soft and silent evenings spent with one’s own thoughts. – Dan Hillier
Spaced – Landslide
Buffalo, NY is home to many amazing hardcore bands, with the likes of the much-missed Every Time I Die and Buried Alive just to name a few. Now, with the release of their newest single “Landslide”, Spaced can add themselves to the ever growing list of Buffalo greats in the NYHC scene. “Landslide” is an exciting take on the genre, utilizing a Turnstile-like influence before diving into a sound like Ontario’s Fight On Sight, Spaced has given plenty of room to two-step, head-bang, and shake that butt all in one track. Recorded and mixed by Buffalo, NY producer and engineer Jay Zubricky with mastering duties taken on by Dead Air Studios, this track fits the NYHC mould perfectly while displaying what Spaced is all about in 2024. – Nathaniel Maure
Bad Omens – V.A.N. (Feat. Poppy)
Bad Omens have been teasing something called Concrete Forever for some time now, a play on the “concrete jungle” seen in latest album The Death of Peace of Mind, but this might be the first true taste of it we get. ‘V.A.N.’ is a collaboration between them and alt pop/metal artist Poppy, is heavily indebted to the likes of HEALTH and Pertubator with its pulsing, glitching electronic, industrial tinges and hints at a bold new evolution for the metalcore outfit. With Poppy assuming sole vocals for the song, it flows from thundering electro breakdown to distorted synthwave, all the while propelled by a sensuous drumbeat. There’s also a sense that there might be much more experimentalism where this came from – bring it on, we say. – Will Marshall
George Gadd + The Aftermath – CVG
The latest track to be released under The Aftermath banner, ‘CVG’ is a folk scented emo punk belter perfectly tailored for anyone with even a passing interest in acts such as Los Campesinos! and others of their ilk. The second side of an AA single featuring previously released track ‘Last Orders’, ‘CVG’ see’s George and gang infuse their warm, raw and often humorous approach to modern punk with prominent synths comparable to the tweecore underground heroes aforementioned. We may still be languishing in the dead of winter, but this is a warm jolt of humble modern emo punk abound to be much appreciated. – Dan Hillier
Glitterer – The Same Ordinary
The third and final single to be taken from their upcoming record Rationale – releasing February 23rd via ANTI- – ‘The Same Ordinary’ see’s Glitterer establish their purpose and intent in just 70 short yet wonderful seconds. Addressing the push and pull of purpose that drives us collectively towards our own personal goals, the track perfectly encapsulates the rush that comes with pursing our dreams to the point where it comes exhausting. Yet, with the tracks’s snappy delivery and immediate punch, there’s anything but lethargy to found here. – Dan Hillier
Alpha Wolf – Sucks 2 Suck (Feat. Ice-T)
The boys are back in town, and they’ve brought the legendary voice of Ice T with them. Aussie spinkick dealers Alpha Wolf have dropped the second track from their just announced third record, Half Living Things and in terms of guest vocals, it really doesn’t get much bigger than the Body Count frontman. ‘Sucks 2 Suck’ is one of the biggest tracks the band have made so far, with their riff driven bounce and swagger taken up another level. Ice T fits like a glove, dripping with attitude and lending the band a touch of mainstream cred. More of this type of metalcore please. – Chris Earl
Domain – Spores of Industry (Feat. Tyler Mullen)
A name whispered in the underground scene for a few years now, Domain have finally announced their debut LP, which is due to be released later this year. The hardcore crew from South Florida have just released their first new music in about two years, and it’s an absolute rager titled ‘Spores of Industry’. In a shade under two minutes and featuring some scathing vocals from SCARAB‘s Tyler Mullen, it’s a chuggy, aggro blast that marks the band out as a big one to watch for 2024. – Chris Earl
Bears In Trees – Things That Look Like Mistakes
The first track to be lifted from their upcoming record How To Build An Ocean: Instructions – released April 26th via I Sure Hope It Does – ‘Things That Look Like Mistakes is quintessentially the peak Bears In Trees experience. Bound by giddy melodies, unhindered joy and a sense of unbridled optimism that can only be found within the younger Gen-Z generation, the track is a shot of musical joy much needed in times like this, something the track directly documents. “This song is about slowing down, stepping back, and reconnecting with the small moments of joy in your life”, stated the band on the track “Dancing in your socks with a glass of wine. Going to concerts. Really listening to nature’s stirring. It may not be a permanent solution to feeling a lack of meaning in life, but remembering to embody those moments of peace is important.” – Dan Hillier
Y Dail – The Piper Pulled Down the Sky
Taken from his upcoming LP Teigr, ‘The Piper Pulled Down The Sky’ see’s Y Dail (aka Pontypridd’s 20 year old Huw Griffiths) present their perfect penchant for forging irresistibly intelligent pop. Harkening the fine pedigree of Welsh pop that has come prior to this project, there’s something quintessentially timeless to Griffiths’ approach to songcraft, especially in the fashion in which their music alludes to the Welsh nature of ‘hiraeth’; the very human mixture of longing, nostalgia and wistfulness. – Dan Hillier
Backbiter – Dog Eat Dog
Ohio beatdown crew Backbiter have returned with their first single since the release of their split EP with Place Blame back in September of 2023. Only a short few months later and they’ve decided to bless us all with their newest track ‘Dog Eat Dog’. A stellar example of hard hitting and aggressive beatdown, it’ll be fair to assume Backbiter are going to be ones to watch out for in American beatdown moving further into 2024. A full on assault filled to the brim with slamming breakdowns, amazingly gnarly vocal displays, and a groovy undertone that’ll make anyone wanna dance; Backbiter have taken a style bands like Falsifier and Bodysnatcher have crafted for years and taken it even further. Backbiter is a band everyone will want to keep their eyes on this year if their next venture holds up like ‘Dog Eat Dog’ does. – Nathaniel Maure
Skeletal Remains – To Conquer the Devout
It’s late January and it’s pretty bloody dreary and grim in the UK. So it’s also a good job Skeletal Remains have come along and dropped an anvil sized hunk of high energy death metal in our laps. The California natives have knack of producing earwormy, headbangers, and ‘To Conquer the Devout’ is no different. Borrowing heavily from bands like Hate Eternal and Nile, as well as early front runners Morbid Angel, the riff worship comes thick and fast, the drums don’t let up for whole track, that snare drum takes a right beating as demonic growls and massive guitars solos take centre stage. – Rob Bown
Northlane – Miasma (Feat. Winston McCall)
Two of Australian heavy music’s titans joining forces for a song? Sounds like a recipe for a good time. For the second track off Northlane‘s new EP, they’re joined by Parkway Drive vocalist Winston McCall. Discussions around the EP’s use of AI for its artwork aside, the track itself is another slab of futuristic metalcore, so much so that even without knowing who put it out you’d know it was Northlane on the first listen. An undercurrent of electronics bubbles as juddering drums and bass drive the track along. Not an immediate track, it sinks its hooks in after a few listens and the highlight is Winston sounding typically huge as his trademark roar announces his entry. – Chris Earl
Sylvaine – Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut
Sylvaine might be better known for her haunting, melodic blackgaze but there’s always been a strong folk influence; coupled with her ethereal voice, it only makes sense for her to fully embrace those tendencies with recently announced EP Eg Er Framand, which translates to “I Am A Stranger”. The first single, ‘Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut’, is soft, meditative and plaintive with her soft croons taking centre stage on a minimalist backdrop. Adapted from the hymn by Elias Blix, it’s a stirring, contemplative piece that sets the stage for an intriguing new chapter in Kathrine Shephard – aka Sylvaine‘s career. – Will Marshall