THANK – Do It Badly
Fresh off the back of their superb set at ArcTanGent, Leeds noisey troupe THANK announce their upcoming album “I Have A Physical Body That Can Be Harmed” and release single “Do It Badly”. It’s just over three minutes of abounding energy and top notch racket bouncing off the walls. A song about completing tasks at least to some standard rather than nothing at all or ‘malicious compliance’ as vocalist and guitarist Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe describes, which to some degree is a descriptor of THANK’s sound at times, chaotic, all over the place but still bloody good. – Adam Vallely
Johnny Foreigner – Their Shining Path
A track that bridges the band’s June-released EP and their upcoming LP How To Be Hopeful – released just next Friday via Alcopop! Records – ‘Their Shining Path’ isn’t really what one call a ‘proper’ Johnny Foreigner song. By that, what we mean it’s optimistic, rosy and joyful; far cries from the understandable cynicism that have long defined this band. However, it’s still the same Johnny Foreigner we have loved for all these years. Plus, it may or may not be inspired by a chance encounter with the paranormal. A joyous and giddy guitar-pop tune born from newfound love and 3am conversations with spectres in hotel smoking areas, ‘Their Shining Path’, like it’s name implies, is a wide-eyed burst of optimism from a band that long laced their pop with venom. It’s simply one of those tracks that are impossible to dislike in thanks to it’s buoyant, infections energy, and whilst the world may be teetering on the edge of oblivion right now, Johnny Foreigner here prove that there’s still joy in this word to be had. – Dan Hillier
Undeath – Disputatious Malignancy
The latest single from New York death metallers Undeath, ‘Disputatious Malignancy’ is everything fans have come to expect from, and love about, their take on the genre. Singer Alexander Jones says of it, “thematically, it’s got kind of a Pierced From Within-era Suffocation meets Bloodborne lore vibe, and it’s definitely the closest thing we have lyrically to a “fuck god/religion” song, which is kind of new territory for us. It’s fast as shit, bouncy, and has a killer duelling squeal-y solo part that I absolutely love.” He’s not wrong; at barely three minutes, it’s a ripper of a track with that classic chainsaw guitar tone, a main riff that switches back and forth from frantic speed to hellacious groove and blistering drum patterns. More Insane is certainly an apt album title from the two singles so far. – Will Marshall
Hidden Mothers – Still Sickness
New Church Road signees Hidden Mothers have gone through a sea change since their formation, with a tweak in lineup and taking a sometimes seemingly longer road to get to this point of putting out a debut full length, due finally in November. But along this winding path they have shown that their sound is positively evolving into new arenas. ‘Still Sickness’ promotes members Luke Scrivens & Liam Knowles to shared lead vocal duties, showing the light vs. the darker tones of this defining era for the band. The opening section leaning into the sounds more associated with the likes of Thrice, Luke’s vocals shimmering over ethereal tones, before returning to a more familiar blackened hardcore as Liam belts out his lines over deeper tones. – Adam Vallely
Lowen – Waging War Against God
The third single from Lowen‘s upcoming album Do Not Go to War with the Demons of Mazandaran, ‘Waging War Against God’ is a haunting, psychedelic ride of towering vocals from Nina Saeidi and thunderous, Bolt Thrower-meets-Baroness riffs. It’s a rallying cry against tyranny, particularly racist and misogynist oppression, taking its name from one of the legal terms used by the Iranian government to persecute and execute individuals who stand up to the regime. Saeidi says of the song, “as someone who has grown up between two cultures struggling with oppression and racism, this song is a stand against the intolerance that has been ever present. It champions the strength of women, especially those who despite the threat of death have been carrying forward the Woman Life Freedom movement inside and outside of Iran.” – Will Marshall
Devil Sold His Soul – Like It’s Your Last MMXXIV
Celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band, Devil Sold His Soul have re-recorded one of their first songs, ‘Like It’s Your Last’, originally from Darkness Prevails. The new version showcases not only bigger production and clearer, heavier sound but the troupe’s existing lineup including dual vocals. It’s a great way for fans – both old and new – to hear how the band have not only incorporated new elements but iterated on those already present, from the atmospherics and emotional melodies to riffs lent new, crushing weight. A perfect way to celebrate their legacy, along with their two intimate shows at Camden’s Black Heart later in the year, and with any luck, a great way to kick off a new era in 2025. – Will Marshall
Still – Small Mercies of Falling Apart
The first cut to be taken from Still‘s forthcoming second record A Theft – released November 15th via Floodlit Recordings – ‘Small Mercies of Falling Apart’ is a flurry of tortured, anxiety-wracked and downright lacerating post black metal from a band may have dubbed one of the UK’s best kept secrets. Those who have heard the band’s fantastic 2021 debut {} will know what to expecr here, but for those new to the fray, ‘Small Mercies of Falling Part’ takes the emotional charge of acts such as Glassing, Torpor and Hidden Mothers and distills the pain and unease into it’s most pure form. Plus, with Joe Clayton at the production helm of this single and wider record, this proves to be an obsidian shawl of pure discomfit, its textures defined but authentically harsh. – Dan Hillier
The Eurosuite – Twelve Dipthongs
The Eurosuite announce their return and new album Totally Fine due out on Human Worth next month with new single ‘Twelve Dipthongs’. A new approach to this underground ‘supergroup’ comprising members of USA Nails, Screen Wives & Nitowski with a more stripped back approach. This lo-fi, obtuse electronic lead track is an ear worm for sure, but it’s an ear worm that crawled up your nose at the 80’s disco earlier and is taking hold of your brain. The band built on an ethos of ‘first idea, best idea’ and that egos need to be put aside to better serve the music rings true here. This is weird and wonderful and sits outside of the norm. – Adam Vallely
Tribe of Ghosts – Desolation Will Be Their Only Reward
With the news of debut album City arriving in October, glitchy metallers Tribe of Ghosts have unveiled its lead single, ‘Desolation Will Be Their Only Reward’. It’s a curious track, opening with ambience and a haunting melody that gives way to glitching industrial with guttural roars and a grimy, sludgy air. At a little over two minutes, Tribe of Ghosts aren’t giving any secrets away about what to expect from this new chapter other than the menacing tone ‘Desolation…’ sets, feeling almost like an introduction to something much heavier and more evil. – Will Marshall
Sugar Horse – Spit Beach
If you’re aware of Sugar Horse at all it’s probably through their long, meandering yet brutally heavy tracks like their thirteen minute single ‘The Great Shame’ or their recent EP Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico that consisted of a single seventeen minute track split into six parts. Now the Brighton based quartet are back with their most urgent work yet, the surprisingly tight ‘Spit Beach’, in the lead up to their second full length album The Grand Scheme Of Things. The track takes inspiration from the minimalist cold wave scene of the early 80s, experimenting with post-punk style drums and low-key synths, periodically exploding into a cacophony of detuned guitars. ‘Spit Beach’ proves that even in a more accessible package Sugar Horse still don’t hold back. – Tom Bruce
Touché Amoré – Hal Ashby
Taking inspiration from the often misunderstood characters in films by director Hal Ashby such as Coming Home and Harold And Maude, Californian five-piece Touché Amoré spin their uplifting brand of cathartic post-hardcore around the topic of misunderstandings. New single ‘Hal Ashby’ takes the band’s usual breakneck pace down a notch, with an indie style lead guitar line and steady percussion backing frontman Jeremy Bolm’s passionate, growling vocals. In true Touché Amoré fashion the lyrics shine here, perfectly balancing personal, poetic musings and impassioned sing-along moments. In the lead up to their sixth studio album Spiral In A Straight Line, due out this October, Touché Amoré have quickly been reminding fans why they’re considered one of post-hardcore’s most unique and passionate voices. – Tom Bruce
Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
Seven long years since the untimely passing of Chester Bennington, Linkin Park felt like they were ready to return for a second go, with new singer Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara. Announced during a livestream, where they played new single ‘The Emptiness Machine’ from upcoming album From Zero (partly a reference to their original band name, Xero, as well as returning from their lowest ever point) alongside a slew of classics. The good news is, Armstrong slots in easily with a powerful performance and grit in her voice that at times, sounds almost like him. This isn’t an attempt to take anyone’s place, though; this is a new take on Linkin Park, moving on from the hurt of the past and focusing on their future. ‘The Emptiness Machine’ starts with Mike Shinoda singing, but when Armstrong is introduced for the second chorus, it’s an immediate earworm that sets a promising stage for this new era. – Will Marshall
Destined To Burn – Dissociation (Feat. Spirit of Vengeance)
Southern Ontario, Canada simply can not miss when it comes to heavy hitting music and as the days pass, it only seems to get better. Toronto based metallic hardcore group Destined To Burn are the latest example with their new single “Dissociation”. The first single off their upcoming EP Bound in Sorrow, which is set to release October 18th, the track boasts a massive feature from Ontario’s Spirit of Vengeance. This track absolutely slams leaving fans salivating for more. Destined to Burn are taking over the Ontario hardcore scene and “Dissociation” displays exactly why this is. – Nathaniel Maure
Spiritbox – Soft Spine
Repeatedly proving that a band whose meteoric rise to notoriety is anything but a fluke, metalcore giants Spiritbox, are currently riding a momentous high, from winning a Heavy Music Award for Best International Live Artist, announcing their biggest upcoming London tour date at Alexandra Palace February next year, as well as gifting fans the first glimpse of their first new music since The Fear of Fear in the form of ‘Soft Spine’. Delivering an imperious djent inspired sense of thunderous mayhem, this latest single captures the mighty essence of a powder keg for collective dominion over oppressors and manipulators, with a catchy yet awe striking sonic impact. Spiritbox’s incredible ability to pump out such captivatingly scathing statements, all the while preserving their potency, makes us ponder whether it’s about time we admit that we’re all bearing witness to the early dawning of legendary status signalling? We shall see. – Bennie Osborne
Host Body – Swarmer
Bristol based heavy alternative quintet Host Body have taken some time to get going after putting out their debut single back in 2023 but alongside third single ‘Swarmer’ they’ve announced debut EP Strain due for release next month. And it’s well worth the wait if this track is to go by. A combination of a gothic come electronic intro, joined by math induced guitars and drums it fires into other stratospheres bringing in many weird and wonderful rhythms and elements. The lead dual vocals play off each other in revolting harmony before being taken through a hellish soundscape of ear splitting noise. Host Body manage to bring in a wide range of heavy influences under one roof and have spit out a dark puzzle that every last puzzle piece fits. – Adam Vallely
American Football x Ethel Cain – For Sure
Tallahassee gothic Americana singer/songwriter Ethel Cain, has just been unveiled as the latest artist to lend their undeniable talents to breathe new life into American Football‘s LP1, as part of the record’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Building upon American Football‘s longing for unburdened connection, Cain’s penchant for slowcore lulls and intricately constructed sonic texture makes they’re take of ‘For Sure’ an even more haunting yet deeply captivating free fall through potent softness and beautified yearning, all the while intensifying a coupling of sunken gloom with internal unwithering ache. Commitment to experiencing this near 10 minute marvel, though may seem like a drag pre-sampling, we find through fully embracing this mystifying odes wash over effect in full is a truly captivating listening experience unlike any other we’ve had the pleasure of encountering. – Bennie Osborne