Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Metalcore x eyeliner pioneers Atreyu take a sledgehammer to their legacy with the Pronoia Sessions

A band with a stomp that would make Godzilla re-think his technique, deathcore titans Fit For An Autopsy look to establish themselves at the head of the pack even more with The Nothing That Is.

One of the most exciting death metal bands going, Undeath, look to take on the world and make an even bigger statement than before with their third album, More Insane

There are few bands in the extreme metal world today who've generated as much excitement and promise since their inception as Heriot, but will they buckle under that pressure with their debut full length?

Manchester DIY hardcore crew look to make you angry, uncomfortable and maybe a little introspective on their blistering new album "We Are All Going To Hell"

Three presidents, countless prime ministers and the music scene changing forever because of streaming. These are just a few things that have happened since Time II was announced, but was it really worth waiting all that time?

It may seem like business as usual for Bodysnatcher, releasing a collection of chest-beating slabs of prime ass-beating deathcore, but under the surface, there may be more to the band than meets the eye

Algorithm masters thrown finally release their debut album and hope to capitalise on the hype and buzz that surrounds them, but questions still remain over the band's ability to back up their live show with their music.

On a night so hot, so sweaty that even the visiting Australians are beginning to feel the heat, Zerox in Newcastle Upon Tyne played host to a wonderful mixed bill of bands. From the local downtuned trio in Undertow and the Wolfmother meets Sabbath stylings of Giant Walker to the upcoming metalcore stars in Future Static, the riffs weren't the only things that were scorching. (Photos are from the Bristol date)

Ambition. Scope. Aspiration. Rare qualities in bands today, who seem to have more focus on the immediacy of tracks. There were those who said that the concept album, especially in certain genres, was a dying art. Then FOXCULT came along and not only hit the ground running with a vast, intricate concept EP that blended post-hardcore with atmospheric, space themes, but continue to push modern boundaries with their second release, THE AMETHYST DRIFT.

Sticking the landing on a debut album is always hard, but doing it when you're so closely associated with a sound and style made famous of by some of the best bands to ever do it? Thing's just got a lot more difficult, but the way that Delaware's Foreign Hands have gone about it, you'd think it was as easy as breathing.

It wouldn't be Slam Dunk without a bit of rain, but this year things got taken to another level. In the midst of mud, torrential rain and the occasional spots of sun, the first big alt festival of the year had its second day and played host to bands of all shapes and sizes across the alt spectrum. It would be a day filled with album sets, festival debuts and, perhaps most notable of all, the final festival appearance of legendary UK group You Me At Six.