Dan Hillier
Malevolence are arguably the kings of UK underground hardcore; they take their time between releases, but every single one sees them step their game up massively and their live shows have swiftly made their way into the stuff of legend. The second single from upcoming third album Malicious Intent, Malevolence’s latest single captures them at their most aggressive and beatdown-laden. ‘Life Sentence’ reinforces not only that they can write songs with planet-sized riffs, skyscraper choruses and heart-felt ballads but for anyone worried they might go soft – that they can still make you want to smash your house to pieces. From the two singles they’ve released so far, it’s abundantly clear that Malicious Intent will see them step their game up yet again – the breakdown that closes ‘Life Sentence’ alone, never mind the fist-swinging calls of “guilty as charged!”, are sure to get bodies flying in the pit. – Will Marshall
Conquer Divide returned to active band status after a two year hiatus in 2020, and they’ve been drip feeding us new songs ever since. Their latest release, ‘Atonement’, hits that sweet melodic metalcore spot that fans of bands like Spiritbox and Bury Tomorrow are sure to relish in, and we can only hope the band are gearing up for a full record release in the near future. The harmony between the harsh and clean vocals of the bands dual vocalists on this track swirl together like milk and honey, capped off with one of the heftiest breakdowns in modern metal in the latter half of the song. If they keep giving us tracks like this, it feels like there’s no doubt Conquer Divide could become one of the most coveted bands in the scene. – Elliot Grimmie
Yes, one would be expected to have reservations about the prospect of Trivium frontman Matt Heafy creating a melodic black metal track with the once emo heartthrob Gerard Way. However ‘Ronin’, the latest track from Heafy’s black metal project Ibaraki, is absolutely brilliant to a startling degree. Telling the tale of the isolated and perpetually wandering rōnin, the track is host to a guest solo from Ihsahn, guest group vocals from the black metal icon’s own family – and most prominent of all – truly unhinged black metal wails from the My Chemical Romance frontman himself. Whilst such an amalgamation of names could have resulted in something being resembling a gimmick, it’s anything but. The nine minute track truly mirrors the fury and reflective composure of the titular warrior and is presented with elegance and carefully considered melodicism. With no hyperbole implied, ‘Rōnin’ stands as one of the most dynamic, surprising and best metal tracks to be released thus far this year. – Dan Hillier
Sounding akin to Mastodon playing thrash and named after a condition almost suffered by a discombobulated Grandpa Simpson, Skin Failure are the musical embodiment of the terrifying Bonus Eruptus, the very real disease where the skeleton tries to leap out the mouth and escape the body. Featuring Wil Gardner and Dave Larkin of Black Peaks and members of Bristol math rockers Memory Of Elephants, their first track ‘Give’r By the River…’ is a blistering and fantastically obnoxious slab of frothing thrash that also subtly taps into the progressive density of each members’ previous outings. It’s an absolutely bruiser of a track, one that goes from nil to ninety in seconds and only comes to a sudden halt at the end of it’s three minute run time. It even see’s Gardner channeling Slayer’s Tom Araya circa ‘Angel Of Death’. Either way, it’s a furious yet haplessly fun barrage of noise that’s set to cause some carnage once Skin Failure make their live debut at this year’s ArcTanGent Festival. – Dan Hillier
Are you ready for another angsty, aggressive anthem full of misery and frustration? ‘Cause that’s just what you get with PUP‘s latest track ‘Totally Fine’, taken off of upcoming album The Unraveling Of Puptheband. In place of their usual upbeat dispositioning, we’re offered a truly downtrodden vibe, taking the bands emo influence to its peak, with all the harmony and grunge-punk riffage you’d normally expect from the band chucked in for good measure. The Canadian group are on top of their game right now, pouring out some of the greatest songs of their career, and despite the lyrical outburst of anguish and struggle, the band are rising through the ranks as one of this generations great rock acts. – Elliot Grimmie
Displaying the true extent of their undeniable versatility, as well as revelling in their rebellious approach to their far reaching outpourings; WILLOW alongside their fellow Los Angeles native Siiickbrain, have seemingly jumped headfirst into an audacious bout with mental disturbance on their most recent portentously captivating collaboration. Being an established artist who has reigned over the public consciousness for well over a decade, their latest single ‘PURGE’ can feel truly shocking to the system considering the sheer abrasiveness protruding out of the speakers. Furthermore the possibility of more melancholy inducing bangers, as well as a Main Stage debut at this years Reading and Leeds Festival, only makes the cravings for content from these LA Alternative vixens more and more intense! – Bennie Osborne
Taken from their upcoming album Obsidian – released 22nd April – the latest single from Northlane boldly calls out the fame/status that artists use as a justification for abhorrent actions. Tackling it with their usual energy and vigour, the song is supercharged, weaving between heavier intense moments and more synth driven sections, elements harnessed well by the likes of Crossfaith, While She Sleeps as well as Northlane themselves particularly on their well received previous release Alien. Carrying an unpredictable and unhinged vibe that’s tied together with fury, ferocity and an overall grit the group so easily deliver on, the track delivers a vital message whilst still reinforcing the fact that Northlane are now on cusp of releasing what could very well be their most accomplished and polished offering to date. – Jac Holloway
Otoboke Beaver make themselves very clear on their latest single ‘PARDON?’, an under 2 minute charge of frustration born out of the bands struggle with people who don’t elaborate their meaning when presented with an international language barrier, assuming saying the same words louder and more slowly will simply fix the issue. “I don’t know what you mean”, chants vocalist and lead guitarist Accorinrin repeatedly, as the song progressively becomes more aggressive and up-tempo in its delivery, and the repeated phrase becomes interrupted by sudden bursts of “SHUT UP!”, and every band member begins to chime in on gang vocals. As with all good punk tracks, the song ends almost as quickly as it begins, but Otoboke Beaver remain one of the coolest bands to storm out of Japan and into the earholes of the western world. – Elliot Grimmie
The past few years for the London based Hyperpop agitator Jazmin Bean, have been quite the cyclonic rise to Alternative stardom. With the release of their debut EP – Worldwide Torture continuing to marvel the masses to this day, as well as an impressive 2021 Reading Festival debut performance under their belt, the only logical step is to enchant the public yet again with the rambunctious rattlings of their most recent pooch inspired banger. Striving to navigate the aftermath of toxicity laden exchanges through a light hearted perspective, we see Bean stand their ground and profess the extent of their unbridled divinity on the compellingly named ‘Puppy Pound’. – Bennie Osborne
Sprouting inspiration from a shroom induced encounter with the deepest depths of the subconscious psyche; the Nashville Alt Rock multi-instrumentalist Meg Myers, alongside the Indie/Electro-Pop songstress Luna Shadows, plus the Grammy nominated lead guitarist of the Camden Town Rock trio BONES UK – Carmen Vanderberg, collectively bash the senses into submission with an ode to the healing power of rediscovery on their latest NIN’s-esque banger ‘HTIS’. With such a starkly impactful message of defiance after a long arduous journey to mental and emotional freedom, we suspect that the murmurs of new material on the horizon as well as their select support dates on the My Chemical Romance reunion tour later this year, will signal the start of a transcendent explorative venture unlike any we’ve ever seen from Myers previously. – Bennie Osborne
It’s been a busy week in the Bury Tomorrow camp. Two new members Tom Prendergast (keyboards / vocals) and Ed Hartwell (guitar) have officially joined the band and we have the first taster for the new era of Bury Tomorrow in the form of ‘DEATH (Ever Colder)’. Here, the newfound influences and inclusion of new members are clear from the outset. A synth laden intro builds to a more familiar verse with Dani Winter-Bates at the helm with his dominating and commanding growling croon. The chorus is explosive and for those that had any fears that Prendergast couldn’t step up to the plate, fear not, for his impressive vocal ability elevates the song. There’s welcome synchronicity here, primarily in the form of the newfound electronics, and the track is a refreshing and reinvigorated step into a bold new era, a clear statement that does well to reassure fans that Bury Tomorrow are still harnessing what makes them unique and just oh so good. – Jac Holloway