Heriot – Foul Void
Few bands in Britain have exploded and managed to maintain their initial momentum like Heriot. The disgustingly crushing H8000 worshippers have just announced their debut album Devoured by the Mouth of Hell to great fanfare and anticipation, and to whet whistles even more, they’ve a brand new track, ‘Foul Void’, to tide fans over. Heriot aren’t ones for doing things in half measures, and this track is one that certainly lives upto its name. Sludgy, abrasive, and at times, almost intimidatingly claustrophobic, it’s given a further dose of unease by the dying banshee-esque wails of Debbie Gough, one of the best modern extreme metal vocalists. Yet amongst the grime, the lumbering filth there’s moments of haunting beauty, like fleeting moments of heaven as you sink deeper into an unforgiving pit of hell. A must-listen, and the stage is set for Heriot to take the scene by storm. – Chris Earl
Lamb of God – Another Nail for Your Coffin (Feat. Malevolence & Kublai Khan TX)
When Lamb of God, one of the most legendary metal bands of modern times announced a special edition of Ashes Of The Wake, their seminal 20-year-old masterpiece, there was the usual muted anticipation for B-sides and demos. However, as a pretty fantastic treat, we’ve got an existing B-side re-recorded with two special guest vocalists. ‘Another Nail for Your Coffin’ has been given a production spruce up With Matt Honeycutt and Alex Taylor (of Kublai Khan TX and Malevolence respectively) lending their voices to things. Going toe-to-toe with Randy Blythe is no easy task, but the two guests are powerhouses in their own right. It’s a track that probably only diehard LoG fans will have heard before so for newer listeners, it’ll feel like a brand new track, albeit one that has a lot of Ashes Of The Wake hallmarks. It may only end up being a curio in the grand catalogue of the band, but it’s a fun one all the same. – Chris Earl
House Of Protection – Learn To Forget
After shocking alt types the world over with their debut single ‘It’s Supposed To Hurt’, relative ‘super-duo’ House Of Protection are back with yet another bolt from the blue. A confrontational battery of melodic hardcore in the vein of Comeback Kid and Graphic Nature, the track see’s Stephen Harrison (The Chariot, Fever 333) and Eric Importa (Night Verses, Fever 333) leaning into the realm of popular metalcore with genuine energy and progression aplomb. This, tied with the immaculate production one has come to expect of Jordan Fish, leads to ‘Learn To Forget’ solidifying House Of Protection as being one of the most promising bands in modern metalcore. If this is anything to go by, the band’s debut UK show at the Underworld in October is going to be quite frankly daft. – Dan Hillier
Mallavora – Skin
Rising alt-metal stars Mallavora continue their upward trajectory with new single ‘Skin’, blending ferocious metalcore energy with conscious lyrics and catchy melodies. Produced by Skindred guitarist Mikey Demus, ‘Skin’ sees the Bristol quartet finding their unique voice with powerful vocals and punchy riffs backed up by complex sonic textures and defiant lyrics channeling bands like Spiritbox and Saint Agnes. Voted as the winners of Kerrang’s The Deal competition, Mallovara are due to open the Avalanche stage at this year’s Download Festival and release their upcoming EP through Marshall Records, with their dynamic live performances and relentless alt-metal spirit this up-and-coming four-piece are sure to go far. – Tom Bruce
Giant Walker – Halcion
Having recently signed to underground titans Church Road Records, Giant Walker are gearing up to release their new album Silhouettes with latest single ‘Halcion’. The progressive rock outfit are forging a unique sound somewhere between Black Peaks and elements of Soundgarden. ‘Halcion’ features a thunderous drum groove, underscoring off-kilter riff work and a mesmerising vocal performance. Of the song, guitarist Jamie Southern explains, “the initial idea for the song emerged from a drum groove, although it evolved through several different iterations before culminating into its final form. Sonically, it’s quite dark and angular, and so, when it came to crafting the lyrics, the aim was to encapsulate that feeling of uneasiness that came from the music and weave it into a story.” – Will Marshall
FOXCULT – GEMINI 4 – (Feat. Tom Weaver)
Seattle stargazers FOXCULT have unveiled their latest transmission ‘GEMINI 4’ from their upcoming EP THE AMETHYST DRIFT. They’ve gone from strength to strength with every release and ‘GEMINI 4’ is no different, a blistering opening giving way to an electrifying, stratospheric chorus. Recruiting post-hardcore royalty Casey to their cause, Tom Weaver offers a star turn in a guest vocal feature that only augments the song further. With gorgeous melody and deep, constantly evolving sci-fi lore, FOXCULT continue to prove themselves one of the genre’s most exciting new bands and they deserve the world. – Will Marshall
Lucked Out – Bottomfeeder (Feat. Mugshot)
Colorado’s heavy hitters in Lucked Out are back with a hard-as-nails new single. ‘Bottomfeeder’ utilises all the great stuff Lucked Out has to offer and then some. Featuring Mugshot from California, the two groups couldn’t have blended together better. This track breathes hardcore and it’s clear as day. With a ton of two step and mosh parts right from the get-go while also leaving a bunch of room for fans to simply go nuts and start swinging, ‘Bottomfeeder’ has everything hardcore kids love. The four-minute track doesn’t let up especially once Mugshot comes into play with their signature beatdown sound. If you’re from the USA, let’s hope you have insurance when you attend the next Lucked Out gig because after hearing this track, you might need it. – Nathaniel Maure
Love Is Noise – Soft Glow
After their sell-out headline show in London, it has been full steam ahead for Love Is Noise ahead of the release of their long-awaited debut. Signing with Century Media, this week saw the release of their latest track, ‘Soft Glow’. This is a particularly gorgeous little cut that takes the core sonic identity of Love Is Noise, and evolves it in ways that feel totally natural. Huge waves built of explosive percussion and glittering guitar work crash into the listener with a beautiful aching melancholy at their core. The vocals from Cameron Humphrey are some of his finest to date, capturing the loving longing of the lyricism of the track with surprising warmth and richness. A very solid start to the band’s most exciting era yet. – Ryan Ward
Sugar Horse – Office Job Simulator
The third single taken from Sugar Horse‘s upcoming second album Grand Scheme of Things, ‘Office Job Simulator’ is a slab of punky doomgaze, towering riffs and acerbic howls balanced out by morose melodies across vocals and guitar. The song flows through melodic peaks and valleys of tectonic sludge. Gradually getting more aggressive as it goes, ‘Office Job Simulator’ rails against the unfair treatment afforded people through birth, such as the royal family, and while the quartet might claim to be making a sideways move for album two, all signs point to Sugar Horse continuing their upward momentum as one of the UK’s most thrilling, progressive and loud bands. – Will Marshall
Ankor – Embers
Returning to the airwaves after several weeks of speculation as to when we were to expect their latest EDM-inspired release, which we now know was to arrive alongside news of them signing with the independent record label, UNFD; the Catalonian alt metallers Ankor, are currently riding an impressive high with recently reached major milestone in their two decades-long career, while topping it off with the most intriguing chapter in their longstanding immersive sonic tales with ‘Embers’. This latest addition to their discography ventures into the complexities of living in alternate realities, delivering a track that constantly rides the fence between depression and hopefulness that is not only displayed in their curious lyricism, but also through their utterly enchanting instrumental dynamism. – Bennie Osborne
Royal & The Serpent – American Spirit / Dog
Continuing their highly successful EP drip feed release schedule, post conclusion of their first stint as support for Avril Lavigne’s North American Greatest Hits Tour, plus sparking speculation over a possible studio album in the pipeline; Royal & The Serpent is back in action with the first follow up EP in her RAT TRAP multi-series since September 2023. As part of the RAT TRAP 5: the beginning, ‘American Spirit’ bridges the gap between young love and the re-glorification of the American Dream with a truly spellbinding indie delivery, while ‘Dog’ specialises in the embracement of the true untameable individual with a rebellious spirit driving home a distinct catchiness, worthy of summertime road trip repeat sing/scream-a-longs. – Bennie Osborne
Crossfaith – Warriors (Feat. SiM)
It’s been a hot minute but we’re edging closer to the release of a brand new album by Japanese rave-metal legends Crossfaith. The final teaser to be released from the upcoming ARK, due out at the end of June features a member of a band who’ve essentially existed alongside Crossfaith for their lifespan, and that’s MAH from SiM. ‘Warriors’ is a rousing, pulsating slab of music, with both vocalists lending the track an urgent edge with their untouchable delivery. Built upon the foundation of a stirring chorus and some bouncing, almost nu-metal riffs, it truly feels like a blend between the two groups. MAH and Kenta have a natural dynamic, bouncing off each other and the track feels like it’s tailor-made for being absolutely massive live. Even after losing founding bassist Hiroki, it hasn’t stopped the band coming back swinging and with four absolute belters out already, ARK should definitely bring back the Osaka metallers to the front of the metal scene. – Chris Earl
Poppy – New Way Out
2024 has already been a big year for pop/metal experimentalist Poppy. With two very different collaborations under her belt – the pulsating, HEALTH-indebted Bad Omens single ‘V.A.N.’ and the vitriolic ‘Suffocate’ with Knocked Loose – she’s now released her first single of her own this year, ‘New Way Out’. Produced by Bring Me The Horizon alumnus Jordan Fish, it’s got his signature with a huge chorus alongside Poppy‘s knack for swapping between ethereal melody and gut-churning screeches. Hopefully this is just a taste of what’s to come this year from Poppy. – Will Marshall