Forlorn – Let Them Run
Returning with another banger which furthermore could cement them as one of the most exciting underground bands in the UK, Noizzefest alumni Forlorn’s latest effort ‘Let Them Run’ blends haunting and ethereal clean vocals with existential screams and chugging guitars aplenty within their unique brand of metal that incorporates industrial sounds, aggressive drumming, and pagan imagery. Working closely with producer Sam Bloor again, (Dream State, Graphic Nature, Black Coast) Forlorn may have only formed in 2019 but have since perfected the art of modern metal that combines occult imagery with blisteringly heavy-hitting production and vocals. – Ez Luscombe
itoldyouiwouldeatyou – Wonderful Life, Pt. 1 (Feat. PETSEMATARY)
Returning with their first single since 2024’s ‘Moscow is Silent’, math rock greats itoldyouiwouldeatyou always deliver with their brand of lyricism that tackles subjects such one’s place in a turbulent world and utilising the energy that fuels self-loathing to instead better the world. The second single from their upcoming EP We Were Having Such a Nice Day which is released later this month, ‘Wonderful Life, Pt. 1’ is an expression of beautifully intricate guitar work, whilst the poetic lyrics are a plea from lead singer Joey Ashworth to live your life and accept who you are, despite your upbringing and father figure; sentiments that hit especially hard amongst a sea of a twinkly riffs and a feature from PETSEMATARY’s Gabriella-Elise Monaghan. – Ez Luscombe
Blank Atlas – Leave My Life Behind
Bristol’s best kept secret Blank Atlas are back with their special blend of fiery riffs and boyband vocal harmonies on their latest single ‘Leave My Life Behind’. Making a bold impact on the UK’s alternative scene in the two years since their debut album Dawn Chorus back in 2023, twin brothers Tom and Dan Thould on drums and guitar alongside bassist Chris Simpson have opened 2000 Trees Festival and performed with important names such as Jamie Lenman and Orchards. While their previous single ‘If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them’ delivered a rapid explosion of alternative rock energy, on ‘Leave My Life Behind’, the trio lean into their more melodic side, channeling acts like Busted but with a more driving rhythm section and lush, layered vocals, finding a perfect middle ground between radio-ready pop-rock choruses and underground alt attitude. – Rowan Bruce
Get The Shot – Torture Your Corpse
The best way to have your fans get over the less than perfect departure of a pretty damn good vocalist is to bring one into the fold who’s more than able to hold their own. Get The Shot, the Canadian metallic hardcore demons recently parted ways with Jean-Philippe Lagacé and for longtime fans, he was a massive part of the band. Stepping into his shows is Mathieu Dhani, formerly of From Dying Suns and Epiphanie. The spectacularly named ‘Torture Your Corpse’ is his introduction to the band and he does a stellar job. Matching their bug eyed, straining neck vein intensity with ease, this is a tremendous way to endear yourself to fans and with a EU tour commencing this week, his baptism of fire is underway. – Chris Earl
Ghold – Place To Bless A Shadow
The latest single to be lifted from forthcoming record Bludgeoning Simulations – released November 14th via Human Worth – ‘Place To Bless A Shadow’ is perfect listening for both the so-called spooky season and for anyone wishing to ponder the yawning void that lies in wait beyond the veil. The latest offering from experimental doomsters Ghold, ‘Place To Bless A Shadow’ is 10 minutes of pure musical unease and a track that slowly unfurls itself not unlike that of a scene of an atrocity. As droning soundscapes baring the musical scent of old blood and stale air quicken, yells and mantric mutterings call from the dark like echos from an event most unspeakable. But unlike a scene from a horror film, there’s no cheap jumpscare; just a monumental payoff that solidifies this dread of this track in the most immersive way possible. – Dan Hillier
male//gaze – Soft & Quiet
Self-styled “extreme pop” outfit male//gaze certainly fit the moniker; their latest single, taken from freshly-announced EP Too Late Now, which they’ll self release on 28 November, embraces the kind of noise pop that The Armed explored with Perfect Saviors alongside shoegaze and other textures. It’s confrontational, but disarmingly melodic in its construction. The band describe it as “a song about a toxic relationship where the only way it makes sense to survive is to make myself smaller..softer…quieter. By the end of the song, I’m frustrated and dedicated to breaking out of those patterns completely. With the context of the full EP, I will fully reject the idea of letting anyone speak over me or speak for me at all. A return to myself completely.” – Will Marshall
Killgurls – Cake
Despite forming only last year, Sacramento’s Killgurls are quickly gaining renegotiation on both sides of the great Atlantic. ‘Cake’ proves why finely. The latest single from alt-punk trio, ‘Cake’ is a sweet little track that wonderfully provides insight into the wide array of the band’s influences, with motifs and nods to the likes of Deftones, Nirvana and Destroy Boys evident. However, the best way to easily describe this track would be by saying that Killgurls take the wavy, torn-plaid sound of classic grunge and filter it through a modern prism. For anyone wanting a slice of something sleazy yet sweet, ‘Cake’ is a musical bite worth savouring. – Dan Hillier
Like Moths To Flame – Salting the Earth
One of the most prolific bands in modern metalcore, Like Moths To Flame rarely stand still for long. Always up for experimenting with their sound and trying out new styles, they’ve decided to delve into their more melodic, almost ballad-esque at times side on ‘Salting the Earth’. Driven by the soaring vocals of Chris Roetter, the track deals with the feeling of being alone while seemingly surrounded by those who you care about and who care for you. It almost exists as the yin to last year’s yang, ‘Soul Exchange’, as this one feels much more hopeful and alive compared to the darker tone of their previous song. – Chris Earl
Conquer Divide – The Ocean Between Us
The first sign of new music from the now-quartet since the release of the deluxe edition of second album Slow Burn, ‘The Ocean Between Us’ leans more into Conquer Divide‘s melodic sensibilities than their metalcore side. More melancholic than they’ve been before, it explores as the band explain, ideas of “being set on one life path, going through the motions until something or someone stops you in your tracks. It’s about seeing an alternate version of your life and wondering what if. What if you took the leap and started over somewhere far away, with someone new?” Since the band reconfigured themselves as a quartet, there’s been questions about their future sound – this goes some way to hinting at least one direction they could go, that keeps the melodicism they’re known for while exploring new emotional pastures. – Will Marshall
Phantom Lane – The Pleasure In Poison
Phantom Lane are a UK based Metalcore duo consisting of Theodore Swaddling from South Wales and Billy Keen from Northern Ireland. The band have released their debut single & music video ‘The Pleasure in Poison’ which takes inspiration from the likes of Saosin, Drop Dead, Gorgeous and early Motionless In White. These comparisons become instantaneously recognisable through the song’s snarling urgency and raw screams. An impressive range of vocals are showcased throughout the initial verse/chorus structure with piercing melodic cleans and scathing screams. Further to this, the vocal duality in the second verse, complimented by a moment of black metal style blast beats, adds an unpredictable and chaotic layer which adds to the songs diverse delivery. Phantom Lane say that ‘The Pleasure In Poison’ is like ‘The Haunting’ meeting 2000’s Metalcore & Post-Hardcore, its exactly that and we are here for it. – Jac Holloway