Dan Hillier
An esoteric proposition, the latest single from Sweden’s Blodet see’s the ineffable collective further pushing their sound into more velutinous and arcane territories. The first single to be released from the band’s forthcoming EP Vision – which releases September 24th via Church Road – ‘The River is an enigmatic sonic tapestry that subtly explores the futility of man in a fashion that’s mesmeric, yet undoubtedly disheartening. Blodlet’s first release since the inclusion of vocalist Hilda Heller in 2019, the track is an atmospherically monochrome vortex of post-rock ambience, psychedelic folk and tentative doom that lies within the work of artists such as A.A Williams, Amenra and Big Brave. With Visions set to see the band incorporating further elements of European post-hardcore and brutalist doom into the mix, 2021 is the year where Blodlet carve their own oeuvre in scene pocketed by caverns of dark dynamism. – Dan Hillier
The fourth and final single from their upcoming record Transmute, ‘A Test Of Our Resolve’ see’s Press To MECO treading familiar ground. Plucky bass, riffs and the steady beat of the drums are all sounds staple in the ‘MECO arsenal, but hey, don’t fix what ain’t broke – this is the formula that makes the band sound so damn good in the first place. One of the most magical things about Press To MECO is their ability to share the spotlight, with each track every member of the band shines in unison, with harmonies and gang vocals aplenty without sacrificing the slap of the bass and the bite of the riff, and this track is no different. Every element comes together to create something unmistakable, this is the Press To MECO sound in encapsulation and is another absolute banger in their repertoire. – Elliot Grimmie
You wanna get freaky? You wanna get weird and funky? Frauds have got your back with their new track ‘Ships’. It’s equal parts sinister in tone, it’s riffy and ready to boogie down to – and better yet – it’s just one of many tracks yet to come, as the band have been hard at work crafting a new album releasing later this year via Alcopop Records. It’s impressive that such a fleshed out noise can come from just a two piece, but Frauds pull it off with uniquely twisted finesse every time. One moment you’ll be nodding your head along, the next you’ll catch yourself thinking; wait, what the heck is this song about? It just so happens that this one is about a fictional fishing ship called The Wishing Well, and all the fishes they catch. Who on earth would write a song about that? Well, Frauds, that’s who. – Elliot Grimmie
Documenting the condescending abuse that’s rampant within all corners of the male-dominated music industry, the latest track from tinged alt rock duo Comic Sans is a vibrant swagger that bristles with righteously decanted fury and subtle late 20th century psychedelia. Sounding somewhat akin to an early Florence And The Machine with further DIY punk-rock flourishes, the midlands duo have spent the lockdown tirelessly toying on their sound to both praise and acclaim from their blossoming fanbase. “The song was written with anger but passion,” state the Comic Sans on ‘Man’ “The new single doesn’t only refer to the patriarchal society on the whole but the male-dominated music industry in which we sometimes feel small. This song was our chance to show we can be big, we can make noise, and we can be louder than male rock bands.” – Dan Hillier
With a band name and track title such as that, it’s no real surprise that the latest single from Wasted Death is a savage and fatalist stab at the bleak future that awaits our descendents. Regardless, ‘Tomorrow’s Children Will Eat Algae’ is an absolutely hideous ear-flayer of the best kind. Taken from Wasted Death’s impending EP Ugly As Hell II – Uglier Than Hell, the track see’s the snotty and sardonic band weaponise filthy gutter punk and ravaging grind in a way that’s virulently obnoxious. Sitting halfway on a spectrum bookended by Trap Them and Municipal Waste, if you have a penchant for musical putridity at it’s most unrefined and snaring, this a fantastically abhorrent must listen. – Dan Hillier
The groups first release since 2019, ‘Iron Lung’ sets the tone for the next era of the modern metal collective Blood Youth. Displaying their penchant for ripping nu-metal tinged hardcore, the track sees the group penduluming between a soaring, open-aired chorus and bludgeoning riffs that are downright ravaging in tone. Written prior to the events of the Coronavirus outbreak, the track is fitting ode to how we are all in need to something to hold dear during times of uncertainly and unpredictability. – Dan Hillier
Londons premium grime punk trio PENGSHUi lash out with their visceral new track ‘Little Brother’. “I’m a demon and the world created me” spits frontman and lyricist ILLAMAN as he delves deep into his innerself. Beefed up with glitchy metronome sounds and a face melting fuzzy bass riff, this is one of the most brutal sonic assaults PENGSHUi have offered up to date and serves as their third single release post their 2020 self titled debut record. New album incoming? With no formal announcement as of yet, we’ll just have to wait and see, but as one of the most promising and exciting bands lurking around the underground scene right now. You best strap in because PENGSHUi have made it damn well clear that they’re fired up and ready to keep going forwards, full throttle form here on out. – Elliot Grimmie