Alpha Male Tea Party – A Terrible Day To Have Eyes
The second single from their freshly announced record Reptilian Brain, ‘A Terrible Day To Have Eyes’ see’s the once purely instrumental math rock trio Alpha Male Tea Party further expanding their sound. Much akin to their last single ‘Battle Crab’, this is a vocal driven track that see’s the band adding vocal harmonies into their mercurial mix in a way that reminiscent of the likes of Unpeople and Press To Meco. “A Terrible Day to Have Eyes is a song about the permanent and inescapable trauma that is inflicted in moments of sudden grief. It comes from a very specific story (that I’ll be keeping to myself) I was once told that had a profound effect on me when I was younger”, states vocalist and guitarist Tom Peters. “The song title came first, as is often the case with us, and it brought that story right back into my mind when I was writing the lyrics. Despite being about something so specific, I like to think it’s applicable to lots of different human experiences, especially in this incredibly fragile and violent landscape we currently find ourselves in. It’s my personal favourite on the record and all comes together with a nice song-a-long at the end, everyone loves one of those.” – Dan Hillier
Trivium – Bury Me With My Screams
Considering their rapid fire output of their last three full length records, it’s been a quiet few years on the musical front for modern metal legends Trivium. Having been touring none stop, most recently filling out arenas with their Ascendancy album tour (With a little help from Bullet for My Valentine and The Poison), we’ve finally been treat to new music from Matt Heafy and co. The first track from an EP releasing on Halloween (Spooky), ‘Bury Me With My Screams’ is a perfect encapsulation of the bands sound in 2025. Octopus-esque drums, seismic riffs and Matt’s instantly recognisable screams and hooks all combine for an exciting yet comforting next chapter in the bands storied career. Their hot streak, which some felt was due to cool down based on past experiences now looks set to continue. – Chris Earl
God Alone – The Beep Test
Even for a band that’s mathcore adjacent, a God Alone live set is a particularly intense experience. Embodying this is their new single. The title track of their upcoming record that’s released October 10th via Prosthetic Records, ‘The Beep Test’ is a bizarre and aptly breathless sprint of accelerating noise that’s truly a product of God Alone’s collective mission statement of creating work that forgoes genre and truly challenges and provokes. Yes, one could slap a mathcore tag on for ease of convenience, but this is so much more. Like it’s namesake, it’s more of test, one that see’s God Alone unwinding their knot of inspirations to create something bizarre, yet undoubtedly engaging. If this, their last record and recent shows are anything to go by, then their upcoming record could be their most challenging yet unhinged work to date. – Dan Hillier
Kid Kapichi – Stainless Steel
Latest single ‘Stainless Steel’ from punk, new-wave and dance inspired Sussex outfit Kid Kapichi is an interesting combination of danceable bass lines and slower paced post-punk riffs set to Jack Wilson’s trademark half spoken, half sung vocals that contrast against Eddie Lewis’s syncopated bass riff perfectly. The sparse harmonies during the chorus also add a further level of depth to track and despite Kid Kapichi only being a two-piece, their confident swagger both in the studio and during live performances hasn’t gone unnoticed. With Madness frontman and national treasure Suggs collaborating on their last single, tours with stars Nothing But Thieves and Liam Gallagher and an uncompromising sound that blends classic punk with a more radio-friendly sound; it’s always exciting to see what direction Kid Kapichi will go in next. – Ez Luscombe
Nerves – Don’t Let Go
The third and seemingly final single to be taken from Nerves’ upcoming EP Iarmhaireacht, ‘Don’t Let Go’ is certainly contrastive to the singles that precede it. A more airy and exposed endeavour that juxtaposes wonderfully with the unhinged claustrophobic mania that characterised those aforementioned singles, here, Irish noiseniks Nerves channel post rock swells comparable to Mogwai with a sense of morose misery synonymous with slowcore acts such as Deathcrush and Outlander. It’s certainly still a Nerves track though, especially with it’s shrieking feedback crescendo and sense of misanthropic isolationism. Still, with this track in comparison to the singles that came before it, Iarmhaireacht is looking to be one of the most engaging noise rock / post punk EPs of the year come it’s release on August 15th. – Dan Hillier
Rozemary – Starlit Ballroom
One of the best kept secrets in British metalcore, Merseysides rozemary are gearing up for their first EP release, after whetting appetites with two tracks, fun live shows and twitter shenanigans over the last few years. ‘the lies they made me believe’ drops on the 1st of September and judging from the first single to emerge, ‘starlit ballroom’, it’s a continuation of the bands modern metalcore with revival elements sound. Think massive hooks, banshee wails and enticing guitar work wrapped up in a veneer of “we don’t give a fuck what we sound like” attitude. A welcome blend of the past and present, the sky is the limit for the Birkenhead youngsters. – Chris Earl
Cage Fight – IHYG (I Hate Your Guts)
‘IHYG’ is angry. So angry in fact, Cage Fight have decided to forgo any subtleness and spell out the title’s acronym to show you just how pissed off they are even before the song starts. Not that they needed to; this song is downright viscous. A product of trauma from the hands of others, ‘IHYG’ see’s the crossover thrashers going for the jugular in an attempt to seek catharsis. Much like the track’s title, this isn’t subtle, but it is downright brilliant and righteously violent. “IHYG is a response to a deeply traumatic experience that had a life changing impact on me”, states vocalist Rachel Aspe. “It crushed my confidence and self-worth which spiralled me to rock bottom, but I’ve become stronger and more resilient than ever. This experience inspired me to write lyrics for the first time, resulting in this song. The video tells this story.” – Dan Hillier
Perturbator – The Swimming Pool
French synth-wave prodigy Perturbator has recently announced the release of their sixth album, Age of Aquarius, which is set to come out on 10th October 2025. In addition to the album, they will embark on a European tour, including a stop in Kentish Town and another as a headliner at the Damnation Festival in Manchester. The Paris-based multi-instrumentalist, known for taking listeners through dystopian peaks and noisy valleys, has released a post-rock-inspired gem titled “The Swimming Pool.” James Kent describes it as “a little moment of respite in an otherwise mostly aggressive album.” The song stems from a dream he had years ago, in which he found himself searching in vain for a swimming pool in a huge hotel. ‘The Swimming Pool’ is eerie, cinematic, and enthralling, evoking a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of Final Light (his project with Cult of Luna’s frontman Johannes Persson). This track serves as a compelling teaser for what’s to come on the upcoming album. – Nessie Spencer
Trudger – Occupied Frequency
Do you remember Trudger? Yes, Trudger—the incredibly fun sludge band from Yorkshire. You must recall their hit song ‘Thickening Fog’ from 2014, which was everywhere and rightfully so. After quite a long break, they are back with new material—11 years, to be exact, which is almost two-thirds of Chinese Democracy. Their new single, Occupied Frequency’, feels like a continuation of their previous album, Dormiveglia. Rest assured, they haven’t lost any of the qualities that made them unique in the UK sludge and doom underground scene. This single is a perfect demonstration of their talent and grit, showcasing 2 minutes and 24 seconds of chaotic, relentless headbanging, complete with catchy riffs, impeccable drumming, and that delightful touch of humour that makes them so irresistible. In just a few weeks (29th August), we’ll get to join them on their ‘Void Quest’, which also happens to be the title of their upcoming sophomore album – Nessie Spencer
SEIMS – Flowing Upstream
‘Flowing Upstream’ is the sound of a band swimming up the river that is genre as a convoluted construct. And they make it sound absolutely effortless. The first single to be taken from their upcoming record V – released October 10th via Bird’s Robe and Dunk! – ‘Flowing Upstream’ see’s the experimental Australian trio SEIMS cascading though the churning waters of prog, post rock, math rock, electronic, jazz and everything of that ilk in a way that’s rapid, but elegant and controlled. It’s an absolutely wonderful exercise in experimental instrumentalism and melodicism, a track that recalls thoughts of bands like Maybeshewill, Three Trapped Tigers and 65daysofstatic, but in a way that subverts the expectations of each band aforementioned. – Dan Hillier
Snooper – Worldwide
After turning heads and raising eyebrows with their mercurial and madcap 2023 debut, Snooper are back with ‘Worldwide’. The title track of their upcoming second record which drops October 3rd via Third Man Records, whilst ‘Worldwide’ is certainly a more coherent offering when compared to their brilliantly bizarre earlier work, the track still retains the eccentric and spontaneous spirit synonymous with this band’s namesake. Bleeping electronics, dance-breaks and infectious, feral energy drive this track, and with the band promising their most adventurous work to date with this new release, there’s no real surprise why many are stating that Snooper are cresting the next wave of punk. – Dan Hillier
Dying Wish – I’ll Know You’re Not Around
One of the leading lights of the metalcore scene, Dying Wish have gone from strength to strength over the first two records. ‘I’ll Know You’re Not Around’ heralds the start of the rollout of album 3, *Flesh Stays Together*, out 26 September on SharpTone Records. It’s immediately apparent the band have taken another step up, Emma Boster’s vocals sounding more confident in their melodic moments, which are used to far greater effect again here. The guitar tone sounds colossal, the maestro Will Putney working his magic to level the up sonically. Its breakdown is seismic, utilising negative spaces between chugs and Boster’s acerbic, improved howl. They explain of the song, “[It] expresses weakness and deep regret when faced with the ongoing pain on the surface of our dependency with one another. The unavoidable conflict, betrayal and abandonment that lie within the cracks of our society. An acceptance of grief.” – Will Marshall
Death Cult Electric – Alligators
Death Cult Electric are back with their huge new single ‘Alligators’ which is as bombastic as it is bustling and brimming with punk energy. The song is chock-full of raucous riffs and varying melodies/tempo shifts which make it hard to decipher whether a two-step, quick mosh or shameless dance is on the cards. As always with Death Cult Electric, the art lies in the insanity but that would make it easy to not pay attention to the brilliant musicianship displayed with its fun switch ups, guitar inflections, riffwork, clever drum fills and brilliant use time signatures and playing styles. Vocalist Steffan Pringle understands the assignment and sprinkles his quirky unhinged swoon all over ‘Alligators’ switching from melodic adrenaline-filled choruses to throat-ripping verse and bridge segments all whilst displaying copious amounts of pomp and attitude. ‘Alligators’ is nothing short of a punk anthem and this is bound to be a belter live. – Jac Holloway
Fleshwater – Jetpack
Fleshwater’s admirable blend of 90’s emo, shoegaze, post-hardcore, and alternative metal has clearly struck a chord with listeners and latest release ‘Jetpack’ is no exception. The contrast between frontwoman Marisa Shirar’s angelic and clean vocals against the fuzzy guitars and thundering drums is hypnotic and paired with personal and emotive lyrics not too dissimilar to classic 90’s emo acts such as Sunny Day Real Estate, ‘Jetpack’ makes for an easy listen. As the first single from upcoming September release 2000: In Search of The Endless Sky, Fleshwater’s long-awaited sophomore album is set to be another celebration of all things distorted, and another love letter to all things 90s, and all things fuzzy. – Ez Luscombe
Wildernesses – English Darkness
Wildernesses have emerged from Floodlight Recordings (label of Pijn guitarist Joe Clayton) with their second single ‘English Darkness’. A wonderful track woven together with somber storytelling exploring a mental health professionals observation of fragile human psychology from those in crisis to the coping mechanisms of those providing the care. The voice is a gothic bliss mixed with angelic tones which reminisce of Agent Fresco. It builds into the whirring engines of post-rock as it takes off into the near atmosphere for its almost seven minutes, the guitars hum and wail to give heavenly body to the self reflection of front man Phillip Morris. Although Wildernesses are tip toeing their way into public view, they have gathered intrigue everywhere they tread and with more and more shows in the calendar they are becoming one of the latest ones to watch in the post-genre world. – Andy Calderbank
AFI – Behind the Clock
With an illustrious career spanning thirty plus years, AFI have flirted with multiple genres ranging from bratty teenage skate punk to a more radio-friendly and electronically-tinged aesthetic which also coincided with their most popular era as a group. ‘Behind The Clock’ is no exception as the California alt icons provide another memorable performance as they welcome in a new era to celebrate their October release Silver Bleeds the Black Sun. Davey Havok’s monotonous but effective vocal delivery seems like a homage to more atmospheric and gothic leaning acts such as The Cure and Bauhaus, the shimmery guitars courtesy of longtime member Jade Puget adds to the downtempo feel of the track, and AFI again proves that they can masterfully create a lead single that’s both alluring and intriguing in equal measures. – Ez Luscombe
Undeath – Enter Patient / Endless Graveyard
One of our favourite viscera-caked death metal groups, Undeath are back with gory and sordid double single in the form of ‘Enter Patient’ and ‘Endless Graveyard’. Dropping just prior to their tour with Celestial Sanctuary like a cadaver slipping from a meathook, these tracks are filthy garglings of utter filth, but material that does show the group in a new light. Whilst ‘Endless Death’ is the sound of rapid and mindless mutilation that we’ve come to expect from Undeath, ‘Enter Patient’ is more of a slow burner, one suited with tremolo picking, a mutilated crawling pace and even a church organ crescendo. Still, it’s Undeath through and through; macabre, filthy and horrendous as sin. – Dan Hillier
Fat Dog – Pray to That
Despite forming in 2020 and only having one studio album to their name (appropriately titled WOOF.), Fat Dog’s interesting combo of punk energy, hooky synth riffs, traditional Hebrew music and effective 808s has impressed critics and after an average listen of latest single ‘Pray to That’, it’s very easy to see why. With the trademark snarling, monotonous vocals laden with distortion courtesy of frontman Joe Love, a frantic drum buildup in the intro, and a bass line that you can’t help but dance to; Fat Dog are ones to watch and after touring with modern-day indie icons Yard Act and Viagra Boys, they might just be your new favourite band. – Ez Luscombe
Orbit Culture – Hydra
Taking their music in a more deconstructed and industrial direction, third single ‘Hydra’ from long-awaited October release Death Above Life is a celebration of all things heavy and is another blistering combination of death metal, technical and progressive riffs, and epic drum work courtesy of Christopher Wallerstedt. The clean vocals during the chorus come as a welcome surprise which makes ‘Hydra’s’ breakdown even more unexpected with slow, menacing guitars that may remind listeners of black metal’s second wave and blast beats aplenty; a further example of Orbit Culture being figureheads of modern european metal and ones to watch, whilst also being a band who aren’t afraid to experiment. – Ez Luscombe
Beauty School – Lately
These lovely lads from Leeds are one of the most exciting pop punk bands of modern times. Taking the easygoing nature of its elders combined with the grit and melancholy of The Wonder Years and Bilmuri. New album From Now On is not far away and latest single ‘Lately’ feels like an intervention from a friend who truly cares for you. It couldn’t be catchier while still managing to scream on the modern trappings of working in a demoralising corporate world, where you’re working yourself into oblivion with no support in sight. The struggle injected into ‘Lately’ is in stark contrast to its optimistic melodies but it encompasses everything that great pop punk has to offer in a sincere message wrapped in top quality song writing. Mark the calendars for 3rd of October 2025 to see a band ascend into the pop punk stratosphere. – Andy Calderbank