Exploring Birdsong – All I Lack
Genre-bending guitar-less trio Exploring Birdsong are back with their melancholy new single ‘All I Lack’, blending post rock atmosphere and experimentation with pop sensibilities for a dramatic yet accessible experience. Frontwoman Lynsey Ward’s soaring vocals and delicate piano lines create a dramatic, ethereal bedrock on which bassist/keyboardist Jonny Knight builds layers of Massive Attack style synth hits. Balancing the track’s graceful lead melody with waves of sonic experimentation, Exploring Birdsong manage to find a perfect middle ground between simple, effective songwriting and intricate soundscapes for a radio-ready ballad with more than enough depth for die-hard post-rock fans. – Tom Bruce
Black Foxxes – In the Image of Perfection
Continuing to tease the emotive gems of their upcoming self-released fourth studio album The Haar, Black Foxxes return for an over 9 minute excursion through the depths of psychological toxicity and the wider impact of such turmoil on our relationship with the self and our loved ones with ‘In The Image of Perfection’. Guiding through an atmospheric yet deeply introspective soundscape, Mark Holley and the gang usher in a slow burning emotional powder keg, built upon the backs of a mellow string section, organic nature recordings and the band’s effortlessly tender delivery, for a listening experience dripping with pain, thoughtfulness and grace. This audible sedative holds the essence of truth at heart with every element on display across its runtime. It’s a must listen for all who seek shelter in our ruminations for the goal of self-preservation. – Bennie Osborne
Bleed From Within – In Place of Your Halo
Scotland’s finest Bleed From Within are gearing up to release their seventh album Zenith and with its second single ‘In Place of Your Halo’, are putting forward a serious case for groove metal domination. Taking the gargantuan riffs of Fracture and Shrine and pairing them with an honest-to-god bagpipe breakdown, ‘In Place of Your Halo’ makes the combination look effortless. Of the song, they explain “it’s an anthem for those that feel like life has passed them by, or those that have been held back by their own limitations. We are killing the older version of ourselves in order to grow. This develops our resilience, a topic that underpins this band’s journey and most of what we shout about. We’ve not had it easy, but neither has anyone else. This song is for all of us.” – Will Marshall
Regal Cheer – All The Best
The latest offering from the Brighton indie-punk duo and the first release since their most recent EP Big Man Little Man Strike Partnership, ‘All The Best’ see’s Regal Cheer spitting their most bile-caked track yet. But despite all the speckle and spit in this little rager, ‘All the Best’ is one of those tracks about growth, a track that see’s the band documenting the end of a relationship and wishing the other party nowt the best after coming the realisation that it’s not working in a way that’s mutually beneficial. Most mature yes, but expect nothing but punk antics and swinging limbs when the band drop this on their run of dates with Toodles & The Hectic Pity next year. – Dan Hillier
you, infinite – Throughlines
A new name, yes, but a sound many post-rock fans will be acquainted yet. The first track to be released from the new project featuring founding members of This Will Destroy You following their respective leave from the band earlier this year, ‘Throughlines’ is brilliant and inviting introduction to you, infinite. The first single from their upcoming self-titled record – released February 28th via Pelagic Records – this track resonates all the classic beauty and patience one would associate with TYDW albeit with what feels like a new and fresh appreciation of the genre. It doesn’t reinvent the so called wheel or the driving components of post-rock, but it doesn’t aim nor try to; this is gorgeous and wonderful post-rock offered up by some of the innovators of the very genre. – Dan Hillier
Spiritworld – Western Stars and the Apocalypse
Crossover thrash fans rejoice as Spiritworld re-emerge with their latest material, ‘Western Stars and The Apocalypse’, two years after dropping the phenomenal concept album, Deathwestern. Thankfully, the band have clung to their signature amalgamation of horror-meets-wild west and metallic hardcore, the track retaining the same fierce energy of the previous cut. ‘Western Stars and The Apocalypse’ doesn’t fuck about. Blitzing through heavy drum work and bewitching riffs that you’ll no doubt be singing after 1 or 2 listens, the 2-minute thrasher perfectly demonstrates that if the sound ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Their full return is eagerly anticipated, bring on the riffs. – Amy Bowles
Delilah Bon – Not the President
Following hot on the heels of second album Evil, Hate Filled Female which dropped in September, feminist force to be reckoned with Delilah Bon has released brand new standalone single ‘Not the President’. Politically and socially charged, the song is a direct anti-Trump statement discussing LGBT rights and sexual assault against women. Told via impassioned, anguish-filled vocals, you can really hear the raw emotion and feeling behind every word she delivers. The song begins quiet and slow, with only a soft acoustic guitar at first, before drums gradually add to the layers. There’s quite a few builds and peaks throughout, where Delilah’s vocals turn into emotional screams, but it remains a pretty stripped back and simple track regardless. Towards the end, she adds in multiple layers of vocals to really drive the point home. Obviously carrying an important message and highlighting current societal issues, the song is hugely relatable, especially for women and anyone in the LGBT community. Hopefully it might help people think, and perhaps the younger generation who are now fans of Delilah Bon can pass on her ideals to help change the way future generations perceive people different to them. – Harley Lorna
Wren – Metric of Grief
Tortured post-metal/sludge peddlers Wren have released a new heaping dollop of dissonant depression for the seething masses to consume and it doesn’t half go hard. From the first note to the last, everything is drenched in sadness, anguish, and darkened beauty in a way only Wren can really do. There’s even a section of shoegazey tremolo heavy chords, that bleed off as soon as they’re rang from the misery machine instrument section of the band. The progression later in the song gives a hint of light, perhaps providing a small glimpse of hope before it unceremoniously fades into nothing, in an almost anti-climactic understated fashion. – Rob Bown
Frontierer – Like A Life Vest
Frontierer’s new stuff is so good it’s almost painful to consume, but that’s always been the way with the glitchy industrialised hardcore troupe from the North. Latest track ‘Like A Life Vest’ draws you into a false sense of security, before it comes down like a thunderclap of Carbomb-esque squeals, pinches and what might be called guitar licks if they weren’t so fucking alien in their nature. The new album is hotly anticipated, as it should be, Frontierer are one of those bands that continue to push what it means to produce this kind of music, all whilst retaining a concrete base of identity. – Rob Bown
SOM – Give Blood
Thick, is the word that would be most fitting to describe SOM’s sound. The new track ‘Give Blood’ starts off just that way before slipping delicately into a swirling shoegaze melody, distinctly dreamlike in its inception and delivery. The guitars on this latest track sound dense one moment, and effortlessly ethereal in another, delivering shades of Holy Fawn in their complexity and depth of sound. Whispered vocals add another layer of texture over the whole track, it’s a delightfully easy listen, one that intones so much emotion with what seems like so little effort, SOM write a helluva track so easily. – Rob Bown
Grove Street – Ultimate Penalty (Feat. Josh Middleton)
Getting in and out in under three minutes, Grove Street’s latest single is a Malevolence-esque bruiser that borrows the vocal expertise of Josh Middleton of Sylosis. The brute force energy of ‘Ultimate Penalty’ is like that of a Hatebreed song, but without quite so many positive mantras littered throughout. Incorporating more riffs to two-step to than you can shake a very sizeable stick at, as well as proper headbanging chugs and plenty of ‘fuck you’ attitude, there’s loads here for the discerning hardcore fan to dig their teeth into, and plenty for anyone whose hardcore knowledge or taste is less well established and wants to start off with a banger. – Jake Longhurst
Havukruunu – Tavastland
Finland’s Havukruunu (which translates to Coniferous Crown) have been quiet for some time. With their last release coming back in October of 2021, it was about time we got something new – and that something comes in the form of the medieval blackened folk track ‘Tavastland’. With choirs and chord progressions that evoke Skyrim as well as the ancient halls of kings, the atmosphere of the song is nigh unmatchable for grandeur and arm-upraising-ness. It’s a healthy five and a bit minutes long, which makes for an excellent five or so minutes spent feeling like a grim Nordic warrior on some hallowed quest, as the icy tones of Havukruunu blend with the voices of some long-forgotten beings to lead you onwards on your journey. – Jake Longhurst
Cassyette – Disease (Lady Gaga cover)
Closing out an unforgettable year in their momentous rise, alt metaller Cassyette returns to the airwaves post celebrating the release of their debut album This World Fucking Sucks, to take a swing at producing the ultimate alternative cover of this season’s electro-dark pop sensation ‘Disease’ by Lady Gaga. Never one to take a break from impressing her loyal fanbase, the addition of a darker twist to this already wickedly infectious ode to embracing the inner monstrous aspects of ourselves, has understandably lead this cover to go viral for its complex yet dominating vibe. The elevation of ‘Disease’ through the lens of the heavy community is an audible experience we didn’t know we needed, yet thankful for its ability transcend to whole new level of anthemic depravity. Plus, with the seal of approval from Mother Monster herself, it’s safe to say that the infection of Cassyette’s influence has created a straight up banger. – Bennie Osborne
Press Club – Wasted Days
With a trio of albums behind them Melbourne based indie punks Press Club should already be a name to watch for any alternative music aficionado, the four-piece’s latest single ‘Wasted Days’ is bound to cement their place as Australia’s DIY heroes. Marking a departure from the band’s fuzzed-out punk rock style ‘Wasted Days’ slows the pace down with a Smashing Pumpkins style guitar riff with a distinctly 90s slacker rock energy showing a gentler side to Press Club’s sound. Layered with punchy drums and winding lead guitar lines, ‘Wasted Days’ brings a retro edge to Press Club without losing what made their previous work so captivating. – Tom Bruce
Volatile Ways – Televised Suicide (Feat. Bec Thorwesten)
Aussies Volatile Ways peddle the kind of death metal-flecked metallic hardcore that would make The Acacia Strain proud, bastard heavy and ignorant as you like. Their latest single pairs that heft with a title sure to turn heads in ‘Televised Suicide’, along with a stellar guest appearance from Terminal Sleep‘s Bec Thorwesten. From its death metal-flecked guitars, feral gutturals and snare that goes off like a gunshot, it’s brutal, heavy hardcore that borders on deathcore at times but keeps that hardcore spirit and structure while still finding ways to be obscenely heavy. With their debut album out in February and the likes of No Cure also releasing some of this year’s best heavy hardcore, it’s a great time to be fans of brutal, fist-swinging music. – Will Marshall
Shadows Fall – In the Grey
Metalcore royalty return with their first release in over 10 years and in classic Shadows Fall fashion is a rip-roaring riff salad backed up by the impeccable drumming and vocals that are their hallmark. It’s almost as though they’ve never actually stopped being a band, despite being inactive from 2015-2021. Most of the members have side projects or have played for other bands in the meantime and it shows with return single ‘In the Grey’, as it doesn’t miss a beat. It does exactly what it says on the tin, it’s three and half minutes of classic metalcore riffing, with more pinches than a corset that’s too tight, highly memorable ear worms that you’ll be humming for days after and even some nice gang shouts for when Shadows Fall bang it out live. – Rob Bown
Arch Enemy – Blood Dynasty
Set to release their 12th studio album since their formation in 1995, Swedish melodic death metal outfit Arch Enemy recently dropped the title track ‘Blood Dynasty’ as their third single off the forthcoming 2025 record. Dramatic and emphatic, a repeated guitar riff holds the whole thing together as the track builds, starting off instrumentally before the confident growly vocals come in after around 45 seconds. The lyrics appear to be a comment on society and mankind in general – “man-made destiny…our legacy, a blood dynasty” – and our penchant for war and bloodshed. Dropping out for a middle section driven by a drum break which leads into an epic guitar solo and then in for a final bombastic key change for the final chorus, ‘Blood Dynasty’ is an exciting and fitting third single which is sure to get people psyched for the release in March next year. – Harley Lorna
RØRY – One Drink Away
Counting down the clock to the release of their long anticipated debut album Restoration late next month, ascendant pop rock artist RØRY plows honesty into the rawest state of being with their fifth introspective single ‘One Drink Away’. Detailing her long arduous journey to living a sober life after one full of hardships and addiction, this understated trap tinged track packs an emotional punch unlike anything we’ve seen from RØRY’s past discography. The track is a reminder of what we all have to lose if we give into our urges, a true testament to the hard work survivors must do to be present, content and live out healthy and fulfilling lives without the destructive influences. – Bennie Osborne
Handcuff – Brainslide
Snotty, pissed-off and snappy – no it’s not you with a Christmas time cold, but the new one-two melee from scrappy punks Handcuff. Channeling the swagger of The Hives with the abrasion of Fucked Up and the contemporary haste of recent show mates Snõõper, ‘Brainslide’ is a breathless barrage of modern punk that’s kicked with the urgency and haste that parallels the endless proposition and stress of modern life. Brainslide is about blurring the lines of physical and digital realms”, state the band. “How we have to adjust from one to the other so often that it’s becoming harder to know what’s real” – Dan Hillier
Abduction – Razors of Occam
Abduction can’t help but crush every thing they release at the moment. The new track ‘Razors of Occam’ is no different, a Gregorian dirge opens up to a devastating black metal assault, replete with haunting melody, anguished vocals, and bullet storm drumming that’ll get that head banging whether you like it or not. One of the defining factors of Abduction’s music is its ability to take twists and turns into the unknown, whilst still remaining familiar and as comforting as the warm heat from a witches cauldron. After the initial burst of melodic black metal, the tracks blasts through its second half in wall crumbling fashion, culminating in a call back to the chanted ethereal sounds of the beginning before fading away into the void. – Rob Bown