Problem Patterns, Burner, Lakes and More: New Noizze – The 18 Must-Listen Tracks of Last Week

You know the deal, here's the best singles of last week.

Problem Patterns – Sad Old Woman (feat. Matt Korvette)

After dropping one of the best punk records of 2023 with Blouse Club, Belfast’s Problem Patterns are back, and this time with another punk legend in tow. Featuring the brilliantly unhinged vocals of Pissed Jean’s Matt Korvette, ‘Sad Old Woman’ see’s Problem Patterns bucking back against how misogynistic stereotypical perceptions of older women have become somehow not only culturally normalised, but expected. It’s an abssoute barnstormer of a track, and a single that once again bares witness to the energy, drive and cultural crucial nature of this band. “Sad Old Woman is about accepting the inevitable”, state the band on the track. “The older women get, the more they’re forced to maintain a certain image and decorum, lest they become grotesque or even worse, invisible. There is a checklist of life goals ingrained in our society that we feel pressured to complete by a certain age; many that seemed obvious in previous decades seem less attainable for the majority now. To critique these standards can often invite remarks of bitterness. Aging is a gift, and we should embrace it while we can.” – Dan Hillier

Burner – The Night Does Not End

Dark, gritty, full of dread – but enough about the state of the economy, it’s time to talk Burner. One of the hottest heavy acts in the UK have just dropped the second half of their new two-track release, with ‘The Night Does Not End’ now joining ‘City 17’ – like a second pistol emerging from the waist band of a gunslinger not yet finished clearing house. The song starts with extreme aggression and rapidly progresses into a flurry of guitar chugs and blast beats, as pained screams coat the last varnish on this well polished rager of a track. Never one to fall into a predictable format, Burner shake things up with groove changes and tempo changes as the song develops, with everything from punk style beats to full on death metal double kicks. A Dillinger Escape Plan style outro wraps things up nicely and serves as a brilliant end to another great song by the rising stars of UK heavy. – Jude Bennett

Lakes – Version

Dropping just a few weeks after the release of their last single and taken from their freshly announced new record Slow Fade, ‘Version’ see’s Lakes dipping their into toes into darker waters. Documenting the perils of wasting time and effort in living inauthentically and not as your true self, this single see’s the Watford emo outfit sinking into a more brooding, hard-rock sound. However, this isn’t a total plunge into depths unknown for the bonafide glock-stars. Still retaining that sparkle, glisten and irrefutable charm that has long characterised Lakes, ‘Version’ is less a sudden departure and more further evidence of the musical innovation that has long bounded this wonderful act. – Dan Hillier

Nerves – Dirty Fingers

Produced by Daniel Fox of Gilla Band, the latest track from Nerves quite frankly sounds like the final few minutes of a five day bender. It’s impossible not to listen to ‘Dirty Fingers’ and literally feel it’s jagged guitars pricking one’s skin, the piercing feedback either being the trigger or symptom of a distant migraine and not knowing if frantic, phlegm-casting sprechgesang is either coming from next door or behind bloodshot eyes that have not blinked in some minutes. Genuinely, this sounds like laying on your back on the floor of room you have not left in what feels like eons, as the final colours of an already monochrome existence fade into a soft oblivion invited by days of lonely substance abuse. It ain’t comfortable listening, but ‘Dirty Fingers’ is sure as hell darkly provocative. – Dan Hillier

The Dirty Nil – Gallop of the Hounds

Scuzzy Canadian rockers The Dirty Nil have unveiled their latest chapter, The Lash, along with its lead single ‘Gallop of the Hounds’. Describing this album as far more back-to-basics than their previous work, the medieval torture dungeon/early punk liner art certainly bears that out, its black & white aesthetic promising barebones rock. The band deliver, but with The Dirty Nil‘s own swaggering twist on it. Trading in the usual romanticism in their lyrics for something far more personal and cathartic, The Lash is jokingly described by drummer Kyle Fisher as “Luke [Bentham, guitar/vocals]’s therapy record.” Well, it’s certainly got the riffs and the attitude. Roll on July. – Will Marshall

Svarta Havet – Härlig är Jorden

Musically a product of the long winters of their native Finland, thematically touching upon the splendid beauty of sun-kissed nature, ‘Härlig är Jorden’ see’s Svarta Havet conjure blackened post-hardcore that holds a real sense of wonder. Taken from their upcoming record Månen Ska Lysa Din Väg – released May 9th via Prosethetic Records – this single may sound utterly frostbitten at times, but as the track progresses, a decliate sense of beauty emegres not unlike the first blooms of srping following a harsh winter. “In the Nordic countries “Härlig är jorden” is a christian psalm sung at many occasions, often funerals”, states vocalist Lotta Green. “Personally I´ve always liked it, not because of its christian message, but because of its harmonic grandiosity that somehow captures the essence of life. When I heard the track taking shape my thought immediately went to this psalm that I sang all through my school years and I wanted to rewrite it as a simple declaration of admiration and love for life and the earth – with a more specific focus on how fantastic it is that we get to spend time on this wondrous globe.” – Dan Hillier

Pinkshift – Evil Eye

Where Pinkshift‘s earlier work was often hooky and extremely catchy, their first single of 2025 ‘Evil Eye’ sees them moving in a much more hardcore-influenced direction. Taking aim at the constant surveillance of people that’s then ultimately used to create increasingly invasive and over personalised advertising, ‘Evil Eye’ is a furious screed against it. Vocalist Ashrita Kumar is audibly pissed, deriding this commodification of people and the surveillance state the modern world has become. It’s a hard left from the grungier sounds of 2023’s suraksha EP, but one that’s working for them and bodes well for future music. – Will Marshall

Desolated – Glass Ceiling

It’s been a while since we heard from Desolated, but the long wait for new music is over with ‘Glass Ceiling’ also coming alongside the announcement of their new album Finding Peace due out 30 May via MLVLTD. With a change in lead vocalist, there’s also a shift towards heavier, groovy hardcore that MLVLTD specialise in, a barrel-chested approach with more fight riffs than you can shake a stick at. ‘Glass Ceiling’ is the band’s fury around the state of life in the UK, explaining, “the cost of living is set higher than ever, yet the price of life itself is cheap as monstrosities unfold worldwide and war mongers prevail. ‘Glass Ceiling’ embodies the issue of everyone being constantly force-fed nonsense and turned against one another through all that we digest, while being priced out of a reasonable standard of living. The cold hearted system that barely rewards hard work; it’s full weight pressed down upon your neck as you gasp for air but you can see through what’s going on above.” – Will Marshall

Poor Creature – The Whole Town Knows

The idea of mashing Irish trad music, psychedelia and krautrock might sound akin to popping mint ice cream on top of a lasagna, but on debut single ‘The Whole Town Knows’, Poor Creature show they can execute it with michelin star expertise. Driven by a dense, hypnotic soundscape which marries electronic elements and traditional instruments that marry together perfectly. The star of the show however is the dual vocal of Lankum’s Cormac Mac Diarmada, and Landless’ Ruth Clinton which echo in call and response, before converging in perfect harmony. As far as introductions to new acts go, this is as good as it gets. – Kevin Ashburn

Illuminati Hotties – Wreck My Life (Feat. Stefan Babcock)

Taken from their upcoming EP Nickel On The Fountain Floor – released May 30th via Hopeless Records – and featuring Stefan Babcock of Canadian rapscallions PUP, ‘Wreck My Life’ is a snarling, angsty and downright sassy indie punk ode to all those types who leave nowt but destruction in their wake. Playfully nailing all those problematic types you find in the punk scene that are just formed of endless contradictions, unrealised hypocrisy and annoying charisma that counteracts their negative traits, ‘Wreck My Life’ is ultimately a bitter love song about falling for someone is, quite frankly, a bit of a dickhead. There’s no doubt that this is going to resonate with many listeners. – Dan Hillier

Rivers of Nihil – Water & Time

It’s a good day for fans of death metal, prog metal and even metalcore whenever Rivers of Nihil grace the scene with new music. Enter new track ‘Water & Time’ – a five minute epic that revisits the style that made the band popular whilst adding in some new sounds. Starting off with an almost EDM style ambient beat, the track might raise an eyebrow from casual listeners (although not if you are a fan of the band’s more ‘out there’ material like ‘The Work’). Soothing vocals and polished drums enter next, while the band slowly ease into what’s to come. Water might be in the title of the track, but it develops more like a fire that begins with a smoulder and erupts into a roaring inferno. As things pick up, a soaring chorus is a welcome addition to the listening experience, before the band’s signature bass and drum segments provide the sense of familiarity mentioned before. In its last third, the song drops into full heavy prog death perfection, with a beautiful guitar solo pairing nicely with wracked screams. – Jude Bennett

Vildhjarta – + ? regnet, the ? +

With four of Vildhjarta’s upcoming album tracks having already been released, it was pretty unexpected to get one last morsel of new music from them before the 30th of May, but if there’s one thing to know about Vildhjarta it is that they play by their own rules and drop new music whenever they feel like it, expect the unexpected. Which of course applies to the music itself, don’t even bother trying to predict or figure out what is headed your way next as you press play on ‘+ ? regnet, the ? +’, let alone understand what is going on as you are subjected to one abrupt tempo and mood change after another. The YouTube version even includes a fun brief switch to room audio for a transition which was an incredibly effective “WTF” moment upon first listen. Despite Vildhjarta’s music being probably quite the headache to write and put together, it’s clear that the band are also having fun juggling so many different out-the-box ideas at once and that their upcoming album might very well be their most multi-faceted and kaleidoscopic, even by their own head-scratching standards. Avrian O’Brien

We Came As Romans – Bad Luck

We Came As Romance are back. ‘Bad Luck’, just out this Thursday has provided some celebration in the fanbase Hypnotising voices appeal us at the beginning, a sweet introduction to the blend of pop and metalcore that follow. With their catchy choruses and such a hoarse voice, the sound fits perfectly on the heavy and quick side of the song. The Michigan quintet found their ideal formula mixing such raw and dark sound where they navigate on a wave that provides a journey on calm and chaos. It goes along perfectly with powerful lyrics on mental health and its hold over the way we think and consider ourselves, ‘I spent all my life wondering why the bad luck always comes so easy’. It’s a mantra to embrace our difference. – Emma Forni

Aversion – Judge Me By My Enemies

Festival City’s Aversion have been keeping busier than ever this year. With a handful of fantastic gigs under their belts and now a second single drop off their upcoming release; Aversion are clearly killing it in 2025. “Judge Me By My Enemies” bleeds hardcore with what sounds like a heavy The Warriors vibe the entire track; old head hardcore fans are sure to pickup on that one right away. Vocally this track is a beast with roaring screams that seem to be pulled straight from the gut. This Ontario foursome are bringing the heat with every release and this one is clearly no different. – Nathaniel Maure

VMBRA – Money Tree

Ska? Punk? Metal? Prog? VMBRA blend them all and then some with their manic, genre-hopping new single ‘Money Tree’. Coming in at 6 minutes, the song is an unmapped adventure through crunchy guitars, jazzy offbeats, soaring vocals, and the occasional scream. It starts out with confident ska-punk strut before diving into heavier, darker waters. The shifts are smooth but surprising, leaving the listener on tenterhooks at every turn. Just as you’re sure the band’s thrown everything at their disposal into the pot, another layer comes crashing in: a new time signature, a guttural growl, or a swooping vocal line. Money Tree is a showy, in-your-face song that won’t be kept in check, showcasing VMBRA’s technical proficiency and fearless imagination. Whether you’re into skanking in the pit or headbanging at the barrier, there’s something in here for you, and then some. A genre-defying statement from a band unafraid to experiment and break rules. – Vee Richardson

Mothica – Toxins (Remix)

Alt pop rising star Mothica recently unveiled the full visual album accompaniment to 2024’s Kissing Death album, complete with a slightly rejigged order and music videos for every track. The eagle eyed might’ve spotted another detail – a seemingly reworked version of ‘Toxins’ that appeared over its end credits. Well that remixed version is officially out, and rather than reworking the song into new forms, it instead fleshes out the backing to a full band and embraces pop-leaning metalcore. The end result is a punchier, much heavier rendition of ‘Toxins’ that proves Mothica could almost certainly write a banger of a heavy record. – Will Marshall

Fallujah – Labyrinth of Stone

Prog/tech death aficionados will no doubt be familiar with US outfit Fallujah, whose 2014 album The Flesh Prevails was a triumph oh atmospherics, progressive music and death metal heft. Over the years since, they’ve largely continued to iterate on its formula, with incoming sixth album Xenotaph promising their biggest leaps to date. Second single ‘Labyrinth of Stone’ contains everything fans have come to love, from searing guitar acrobatics and punishing drumming, but makes sure to keep things fresh with a stunning sung chorus amidst the familiar atmospherics. The band explain of the song, “’Labyrinth of Stone’ is nearly six minutes of pure, mind-bending tech death and prog. From start to finish, this track will tear your face off. We guarantee you’ve never heard Fallujah like this before. Prepare your ear holes and eyeballs for one of the most ridiculous tracks and music videos we’ve ever produced.” – Will Marshall

Midnight Answers – Delusion (Feat. Tom Byrne)

Midnight Answers is the brand new project from ex-FOXCULT singer Audrey Lane and ex-Dreamwell guitarist Aki McCullough, and their first single proper ‘II.II: Delusion’ arguably echoes both bands in certain ways. Vocally it’s unmistakably Audrey, while musically it veers from post-hardcore to some screamo elements along with a feature from Galleons vocalist Tom Byrne. There’s a modern undercurrent, synths and drum pads adding new textures to the more emotionally fraught delivery. Hopefully we’ll be hearing more from them sooner rather than later. – Will Marshall

Most of these tracks and more can be found in our Essential Playlist.

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