Bleed From Within – Levitate
The Scottish metal veterans Bleed From Within have excelled once again, latest single ‘Levitate’ taken from their upcoming album Shrine is almost undoubtedly the most fine tuned demonstration of a band that have had years to absolutely master their craft; from beautiful violins, massive chorus and an epic guitar solo thrown in, there’s still somehow room here for full throttle aggressive velocity. The band have thrown everything they have into one track, this is a fully fledged representation of the heights Bleed From Within are capable of soaring to, and if ‘Levitate’ is anything to go by, Shrine has the potential to be the bands greatest record of their career so far, and solid proof that the only way this band is going for the foreseeable future is up, up, up. – Elliot Grimmie
Lowlives – Misery
Grunge supergroup Lowlives are back with a new double track release; ‘Misery’ and ‘It Makes Me Sick’ (which serves as the B Side). The group, featuring ex-members of The Defiled, No Devotion and The Atari’s, are one of the most promising bands in the grunge revival scene right now. With relatable lyrics, hefty guitar riffs and a big, anthemic songwriting style, the band are well overdue a full album release to really put them on the map at this point, opting instead to stagger their music releases into a few tracks at a time, the future remains open for the band. ‘Misery’ is a fantastically 90’s rock track complete with a raging bass heavy intro, fuzzy guitars and a hefty chorus, before a crescendo finale of headbang ready guiar riffage. – Elliot Grimmie
Fountain Island – The Color Red
Canterbury’s freshest pop-punk outfit Fountain Island have released their second single; ‘The Color Red’, channelling the spirit of classic US bands in the genre like Good Charlotte and Blink 182 for a heartfelt emo ballad, there’s a stark comparison with the vocal style of Tom Delonge and Fountain Islands own Alex Porro here. Here you’ll find a track that’s all about being unashamedly yourself and striving for the things you want even in the face of adversity, the band are definitely ones to watch for putting out tunes of such quality so early on in their career. – Elliot Grimmie
Sick Joy – i’ve got more than i need (and i don’t have much)
One of the many interesting bands operating out of Brighton right now, Sick Joy‘s latest release hits notes all over the brit-rock and grunge spectrum, a bassy, mopey experience backed up by distorted guitar and Mykl Barton‘s melodic vocals. Taken from the bands upcoming debut record We’re All Gonna F***ing Die, ‘i’ve got more than i need (and i don’t have much)’ is an evolution of elements the band has been lurking in since their inception, muddy, crestfallen songs that offer a glimmer of hopeful uplift within, woven into the fabric of despair. Following on from their more aggressive previous release, this is just one piece of a much wider picture the band are building towards, with their album produced by Space (IDLES, Jamie Lenman, Never Not Nothing) there’s a lot of great new noise to come from Sick Joy in the near future – Elliot Grimmie
Tallah – Telescope
Nu-core outfit Tallah have this week announced their upcoming album ‘The Generation of Danger’ and have also dropped the first taste of new music in the shape of “Telescope”. A chaotic whirlwind, it combines elements of terror and horror which fans will recognise and welcome as a feature Tallah have honed and defined on their debut album Matriphagy. With two differing choruses, varying vocal styles, riffs, groove aplenty and a general unhinged and unpredictable nature this is about as close as it gets to having your head caved in by a song. Even for Tallah fans this feels like the band took what they were good at and dialled up the crazy. If you’re a fan of high tempo, eye-popping and aesthetically terrifying concepts executed with all the subtlety of a feral beast that had been force fed cocaine from birth then you are going to be all over this. – Jac Holloway
Thornhill – Hollywood
Aussie metalcore band Thornhill have released their new single “Hollywood” this week. “Hollywood” joins previously released singles “Casanova” and “Arkangel” and the band have also announced their upcoming album Heroine, out June 3rd on UNFD. “Hollywood” creates a brooding and blisteringly sonic soundscape which weaves together atmospheric, melodic vocals and djent-laden riffs. The result is a perfect balance of these two forces that feel at play with one another and often work in tandem throughout the song. The influence of cinema-inspired scores and music has been mentioned by Thornhill’s Jacob Charlton (vocals/lyrics) and Ethan McCann (guitar/production) who birthed the concept for the song and upcoming album and it shows in “Hollywood” with its rich and immersive listening experience. – Jac Holloway
Deaf Havana – Kids
“Kids” is the second single from Deaf Havana and the second taste of music from their upcoming album The Present Is A Foreign Land. The now-duo announced the new album alongside member departures and first single “Going Clear” and following this went on to play a very special show in Lafayette, London. From what we have heard so far it’s clear that the Veck-Gilodi siblings are taking elements from the previous two albums as well as delivering on the emotive songwriting that has been a prominent feature for Deaf Havana for some time. Wrestling with and contemplating youth is the theme on “Kids”. The song is “a retrospective romance with our younger years” says James Veck-Gilodi. The nostalgic value and 80’s influenced synths/experimentation on the track add additional layers providing something a little different than we have heard from the band/duo before. The song culminates with dual vocal layers and harmonies and as usual has a soaring chorus.- Jac Holloway
Alexisonfire – Sweet Dreams of Otherness
Alexisonfire are back! The band announced that they will be releasing a studio album on June 24th, their first in 13 years. ‘Otherness’ will be released via Dine Alone Records and dropped an accompanying single “Sweet Dreams of Otherness” to mark the announcement. The post-hardcore troupe have evolved over time and have drip-fed fans the odd single over the last two years. “Sweet Dreams of Otherness” feels like they have found their sweet spot between the elements of classic Alexisonfire and their newfound texture, groove and influence we have seen worked into newer music. As always the contrast of Dallas Green’s soaring croon and Wade MacNeil’s urgent and harsh vocal delivery creates a multi-layered and explosive song that delivers high intensity alongside a huge singalong chorus. The single marked the beginning of this new era for the band, forming as the brainchild of Dallas Green and quickly became a mission statement for the concept of embracing confidence in a state of peculiarity, the sensation of being strange as well as being unique. – Jac Holloway
Septicflesh – Hierophant
Greek death metallers Septicflesh recently unveiled their latest record, the upcoming Modern Primitive, and its lead single ‘Hierophant’. From the opening notes, it’s clear this is Septicflesh; the grandiose orchestral elements that backdrop crushing death metal, cinematic scope and a pervading sense of dread and rage. The orchestral motif reappears throughout, and a serpentine clean vocal occasionally appears to up the ante. It tells the first half of a story of a priest who, tired of preaching the preordained words of the clergy, attempts to channel an ancient deity, turning to the primitive rituals hinted at in the album title. The second half is in ‘Self Eater’, another album track that fans will simply have to wait to hear. Vocalist and bassist Seth Siro Anton comments “Hierophant is the result of an experiment with ideas that have been haunting our minds for quite a long time. Eventually they matured, leading us to create one of our darkest compositions ever. It is a rhythmical song with profane heavy riffing, layered with melodies that bring to mind chants from mystical ancient civilizations like the Egyptians.” – Will Marshall
Graywave – Build
The latest addition to the rapidly-swelling Church Road Records roster, Graywave announced the news alongside their second EP, Rebirth, out June 24, along with its first single ‘Build’. The Birming-based artist channels shoegaze and dream pop, with ‘Build’ being true to its name, ebbing and flowing, gradually building to its airy conclusion. While her debut EP had some lo-fi tendencies, with ‘Build’ they’re eschewed in favour of darker soundscapes and sonic weight. Jess Webberley, the creative force behind Graywave, swings between arresting and hypnotic vocals throughout, as the songs rattle uneasily and forebodingly. There’s a vague sense of threat to them, as if all is not what it seems, but also a sense of a weight being lifted in the more soaring moments, taking off like a bird in flight. With the sonic maturation from the debut to now, it’s anyone’s guess where Graywave go next, but it’ll make for enthralling listening. – Will Marshall
Cancer Bats – Lonely Bong
Despite the departure of longtime axe-slinger Scott Middleton, it’s clear Cancer Bats have lost none of their fire and fury. Following the lead single and title track of their new album, Psychic Jailbreak, the band have released the second single ‘Lonely Bong’, that is chock-full of punk snarl and bluesy swagger. Liam Cormier’s vocals are as acerbic as ever, and it rumbles along with all the fuzzy groove they’ve come to be known for. Also in trademark Bats fashion, the accompanying hilarious music video sees the band taking on various viral challenges and attempting to find new ways to connect with fans while they couldn’t live their usual lives on the road. Drummer Mike Peters explains, “Lonely Bong is a song about life on the road and being in a band. It was a big lifestyle change for us when the pandemic happened and we couldn’t tour. We missed it a lot. Playing music, seeing friends and fans from around the world. We didn’t even see each other for over a year. Lonely Bong is a homage to the road life and the blessing it’s been in our lives.” – Will Marshall
Conjurer – It Dwells
Conjurer blew the metal world’s collective mind with their 2018 debut album Mire. Since then they’ve played hundreds, if not more, shows and collaborated with Pijn on 2019’s post metal ode to happiness and friendship (subjects very much outside their usual wheelhouse), Curse These Metal Hands. Perhaps because of this relentless touring schedule, and in part due to the hype levels around Mire, a second album seemed like a Herculean undertaking, but the band have crafted the followup. Lead single ‘It Dwells’ is the first to be taken from Páthos, and simply put, it’s everything metal fans have come to love about Conjurer, with an added twist. A matured songwriting process and more experience gives it more cohesion – no more can you point at certain bits and identify black, death or post metal riffs. Instead, it’s all very much them. Earth-shatteringly heavy and unconventionally beautiful, it deals with the contradictory elements in fear. Vocalist and guitarist Dan Nightingale explains it as, “‘It Dwells’ is a good introduction to the sound of the record, from the musical influences to the lyrics and how we’ve drawn from what’s been going on in our lives, it’s one of our most personal outings for sure… Good album. Top track. Boss man.” – Will Marshall
Bastions – A Broken Crown
Bastions were one of the UK’s most revered alternative hardcore bands – despite only releasing one album – before their untimely demise and ceasing all activity. Eleven years since Hospital Corners, however, they’re finally back and have joined forces with Church Road Records for second full length Majestic Desolation. Its lead single, ‘A Broken Crown’, picks up where the debut left off in that it’s unmistakably Bastions, but there’s a refinement and maturation on display in their desolate, darkly melodic hardcore. ‘A Broken Crown’ convulses and writhes with barely-restrained fury, cries of ‘A broken soul / Like all of us’ and ‘A broken crown / A broken town / No salvation / Nothing found’ showing they’ve lost none of their edge or nihilism. It’s proof that time doesn’t dull all blades, with Majestic Desolation shaping up to be their sharpest work to date. – Will Marshall