Dan Hillier
Hidden Mothers are quickly establishing themselves as one of the premier screamo/post-hardcore bands around and their new track, ‘Defanged’ proves that they’re not slowing down. The track takes aim at the tendency of the masses to direct their anger at the most vulnerable people, instead of those in privileged positions who perpetuate the problems, and it does so in a grinding black metal ridden way that Hidden Mothers have made their calling card. Soaring vocals, atmospheric additional instruments and Alexisonfire-esque riffing combine to produce an emotionally charged, yet fully realised single that leaves you wanting more – good job that long-awaited debut album Erosion / Avulsion is incoming this November. – Rob Bown
Positioning themselves as the UK front runners of the fifth-wave emo scene, and developing a cult-like fanbase in the process, itoldyouiwouldeatyou have spent the the past few years working hard at truly establishing themselves as a band deserving of your attention. Not only is ‘Moscow is Silent’ itoldyouiwouldeatyou’s first single outside of their Oh Dearism album cycle, but is in fact their first release in five years. A love letter to those endlessly seeking socialist alternatives to capitalism, ‘Moscow is Silent’ is an artfully crafted blend of post-hardcore and post-punk. Relentless bass drives the track forwards with a hypnotic, repetitious energy, whilst guitars deftly weave complex, noodling licks in a math-rock styled manner. Elements of progressive ambition seep into the track, particularly towards the subtly grandiose back half of the track, lending the whole affair a delightfully theatrical feel. This truly is a band worth getting excited about. – Ryan Ward
Taken from the band’s upcoming new record Blue Garden – released October 11th via Sofa Boy Records and Wax Bodega – ‘Figure In The Dark’, like it’s name less than subtly implies, harkens towards a record that is stated to be the band’s darkest outing to date. But of course, it’s Delta Sleep; even at their most miserable they still sound more airy than most of their peers. Laden by subtly mathy riffs and propelled by the charismatic vocals of Devin Yüceil, here, regardless of the track’s thematic focus on uncertainty and anxiety, the band approach the shadows with the sunny confidence that’s long defined them. ‘Figure In The Dark’ may see UK math rock’s shining light navigating a slightly more shadowy path, but with their sunny take on the genre still vivid, it’s clear Delta Sleep have far from lost their way. – Dan Hillier
Dropping in conjunction with the announcement of their signing to Big Scary Monsters and just prior to their set at ArcTanGent next week, ‘Writing Out A List Of All The Names Of God’ is a jagged, discordant, tortured and aggressively peculiar barrage of noise that’s actually quite horrible really. But such is both the intention and the reason for it’s brilliance. The latest release from the Leeds noiseniks, the track is the full embodiment of this uniquely peculiar band and an audacious racket that just signifies how Thank have long been the subject of plaudits upon high. As junglist percussion clashes with dissonant leads, strained synths and odd-ball commentary, ‘Writing Out A List of All the Names of God’ is a cracked mirroring of our now absurdist and long fragmented culture that Thank have long portrayed. It’s unsettling and breathless, but a single authentic and most wonderful. – Dan Hillier
Snow. Mammoths. Barbarians. Does anything go better with a metal track than those things? Well it’s a good job Brian Eschbach and the boys are back with a slower, heavier release in the form of “Mammoth’s Hand.” The re-introduction of Ryan Knight has done wonders to refresh some of the song writing for The Black Dahlia Murder; the extra layer of technicality and melody he adds to the band comes to the forefront in this crushing metal epic. The vocals ring out over the frozen wastes as barbarians stride into battle, complemented by melodeath guitar wizardry and even some sneaky string hits in there for atmosphere. Thank Satan the band decided to continue producing music, because once again they are proving that they’re one of, if not the most consistent modern death metal band around. – Rob Bown
Nails have long fostered their image of being nasty bastards making nasty music and their latest release ‘Lacking the Ability to Process Empathy’ continues this vein of form in both name and gritty HM2 drenched delivery. It’s short and sweet as Nails are wont to do, it’s not got the crazy fast riffing of ‘Give Me The Painkiller’, instead opting for massive crushing hardcore riffs that punch you in the face and then shrug it off when you ask them to think about how it would make them feel. This track would be a sick opener to get the crowd going, violent, short and brutal, just how we like it. – Rob Bown
The first lacerating cut to be lifted from the group’s upcoming EP Year Of The Pest – due for release later this year via Triple-B and Quality Control – ‘Time Bomb’ is a home fashioned crossover trash nailbomb with maximum explosive force. Condensing the incendiary power of 80’s thrash into a single device that’s complete with a modern, hardcore-orientated primer, ‘Time Bomb’ is just one of those tracks that sounds absolutely timeless. By now the majority of those loyal to the UK’s burgeoning crossover scene will be familiar with Pest Control, but for those foolish enough still not to be in the know, ‘Time Bomb’ is a blast that’s impossible to be ignored. – Dan Hillier
Over the last few months, the emergence of House Of Protection has been one of the more interesting stories of 2024. Formed of former Fever 333 members Aric Improta and Stephen Harrison with former Bring Me The Horizon producer/keyboardist/songwriter/great dog haver Jordan Fish behind the scenes, they’ve been putting out stomping, modern rock songs at a steady pace. Their latest effort ‘Pulling Teeth’ comes with the announcement of debut EP Galore, out September 13th. Accompanied by a frankly fantastic video filmed in a well of death in India, the track is the biggest piece of music the band have put their name to so far. Built around fantastic vocal melodies and a chorus so infectious that the WHO will be having a word alongside some crisp and bouncing production, the world is simply theirs for the taken. After so long in the shadows of their former bands, being able to spread their wings is paying dividends for all involved. – Chris Earl
Last year, indie-punks Mouth Culture stormed the UK alternative scene with their debut record Mishaps of My Mid-Twenties. A throwback-yet-vital blend of ass-shaking tunes with deeply personal and cutting lyrics, they capitalized on all of the hype and promise surrounding them since they emerged in 2019. To keep fans happy and well fed, they’ve just dropped a standalone track, designed to bridge the gap between records. ‘Dead In Love’ is a suitably upbeat musically yet it speaks of being eternally lovesick. Sounding like Lower Than Atlantis at their most anthemic and euphoric, it even sneaks in a little chant along in the middle which begs for those a few pints deep to lose their voices to. Combine this track with a UK tour in November which will see the band play some of their biggest shows to date, it’s a good week for the future of one of the UK’s most exciting bands. – Chris Earl
It’s been a long wait, for both fans and band but the new Make Them Suffer album finally has a release date. A self titled effort, it’s due for release 8th November and alongside tracks already released, the band have marked the occasion with new song ‘Oscillator’. Continuing the tech-metalcore evolution of the band, it’s a fierce medley of riffs (keep an eye out for a smidge of the Doomswitch riff at the end) and the duelling vocals of Sean Harmanis and Alex Reade. The clean chorus in particular shows Alex clearly feeling much more comfortable in the band and truly letting her range show. The band are clearly on a hot streak and the fervor at the album announcement shows how badly fans have been waiting, let’s just hope there isn’t another single till the album drops, so more of the record is a nice surprise. – Chris Earl
Ahead of their upcoming fourth album What I’ll Leave Behind, one of Australia’s finest metalcore outfit have returned once more with a simply brilliant new single, ‘Blood For Blood’. If you weren’t excited for the album before, then this track is certain to change that opinion A crushing adrenaline rush of a track, Void Of Vision have perfectly pulled together their electronic and metal sides in a stylish display of brutal creativity. Vocalist Jack Bergin’s vocals are frequently warped and distorted, tackling the theme of the crushing weight of the music industry with an unparalleled ferocity. Walls of pummelling, down-tuned riffs, collide with thumping bass and sparkling synths in one of the band’s heaviest releases in quite some time. – Ryan Ward
Sitting at just one minute in length but packed full of unbridled brutality; Kublai Khan TX simply does not miss with the release of ‘Supreme Ruler’. Letting fans know exactly what to expect from their upcoming album Exhibition of Prowess, it is fair to assume this may be the hardest release of the band’s career in a while. Produced, mixed, and mastered all by the talented Randy Leboeuf whose skills are on full display with the production behind this simple minute long track. If this is just a sprinkle of what this new album will sound like; nobody is prepared for what these Texan kings are about to offer. – Nathaniel Maure