Gobinder Jhitta
March 13, 2023| Dan Hillier |FEATURES
Death Goals, Enter Shikari, Employed To Serve, Hot Mulligan and More New Noizze – The 17 Must-Listen Tracks Of The Week
From explosive and emotive queer hardcore to loathing and lacerating emo, here's the best singles from last week.
Death Goals – P.A.N.S.Y
Queercore duo Death Goals have released ‘P.A.N.S.Y’, the second single taken from their hotly-anticipated second album A Garden of Dead Flowers. Where their debut The Horrible and the Miserable showcased a purging of emotion as the pair excised as much negativity as possible over its runtime, the new album takes a much broader view, showing a band much more comfortable in their own skins, both personally and musically. ‘P.A.N.S.Y’ is a far more emotive affair, though still shot through with Death Goals‘ own take on chaotic hardcore. The two trade vocal hooks, equal parts snarl and shouts as the song churns away beneath them. Lyrically, they address what it’s like being queer when you’re young, having to hide it from those around you but also there’s an undercurrent of joy in the self-discovery of queerness. Its biting title feels like a nod both to the judgement queer people so often receive from bigots, as well as a reclamation of the term on that same journey. – Will Marshall
Enter Shikari – Bloodshot
It’s been a busy year so far for the boys in Enter Shikari; coming off the back of their single ‘Bull’, the band went on to announce the April 21st arrival of their seventh album, A Kiss For The Whole World, along with residencies in five UK cities across three months. ‘Bloodshot’ is the third track to be released from the upcoming album, arriving just before the band set off on their second wave of the residencies, and presents as yet another banger in the Shikari catalogue. With a heavier electronic feel than the previous two singles, thanks to the layers of stuttering synths and pitched up vocals that snake their way around the verses of the track, ‘Bloodshot’ is definitely going to appeal to those who haven’t clicked with the poppier sounds of the bands recent material, especially during the heavier choruses and killer climax. – Ryan Ward
Employed To Serve – Take Back Control
Fresh off an exceptional support run for French legends Gojira, Employed To Serve have released a deluxe edition of latest album Conquering, complete with a brand new song, ‘Take Back Control’. It sits snugly alongside the other songs on the album as a full-bore rager drawing on groove metal, hardcore and flourishes of classic heavy metal. Opening with a riff that’s unmistakeably them and a howl of “take back control!” from vocalist Justine Jones, it quickly accelerates to a pit-inciting frenzy with duelling vocals between Jones and guitarist Sammy Urwin. It sounds tailor made for arenas; an enormous, bellow-along chorus, towering riffs, a blistering solo and breakdowns that’ll have limbs flying in no time. ‘Take Back Control’ doesn’t let up for a single second, and it’s sure to decimate crowds on the band’s headline tour later this year. – Will Marshall
Hot Mulligan – Shhhh! Golf Is On
Michigan post-emo’s Hot Mulligan released their latest track ‘Shhhh! Golf Is On’ along with the announcement of a brand new album Why Would I Watch. Classically Hot Mulligan, the title has no connection with the song’s meaning. With no golf involved, the track sees singer Tades Sanville taking a swing at his own mother. A cut-throat dose of maternal slander, he says, “‘Shhhh! Golf Is On’ is about my mom. I’m asking her to die.” Ouch. Vehement, abrasive vocals are met with bright Midwest style guitars, finger-pointing grooves and a good dash of cowbell for extra added effect. An extremely promising lead single from one of the hottest emo pop-punk bands around right now. – Katie Ashton
The Xcerts – Ache feat. Sam Carter
A beautiful return to form after the band’s chaotic and wildly experimental previous release, The Xcerts channel the synth driven, emotive energy of their 2018 record Hold On To Your Heart alongside a fresh new energy, reaching an exhilarating new high point with new track ‘Ache’. With a runtime of less than two minutes, the track is a tantalising smattering of more to come, and with duetted guest vocals from none other than Architects’ Sam Carter, alongside frontman Murray MacLeod they reach exquisite harmonies descended directly from the gods. It’s been 5 years since we had a record from The Xcerts, and though their upcoming full length remains to be formally announced, the band haven’t been shy about the extensive time they’ve spent in the studio working on these tracks with Blood Red Shoes‘ Steven Graham Ansell on production duty. Hold on to your hearts, this is sure to be a thrilling ride. – Elliot Grimmie
The Menzingers – Bad Actors
Heralding the band’s upcoming European shows this summer and chosen by the band’s own local Philadelphia Eagles American football team to be part of their gameday season soundtrack, the latest track from The Menzingers is yet another Sun-blessed belter from one of punk rock’s finest. Taken from the Hello Exile sea sessions, ‘Bad Actors’ contains all the charm, passion and irresistible catchiness that has long characterised this ever-brilliant and consistent acts. “It’s one of the last songs we wrote for the album and finished it in the studio”, states guitarist and vocalist Tom May on the track. “It’s an ode to a dear old friend that passed.” – Dan Hillier
Black Coast – Chains
You might want to hold on to something, because the magnitude level of Black Coast’s latest track ‘Chains’ is off the charts when an utterly filthy, nu-metal charged riff erupts from out of the darkness. The band are becoming masters of their craft so young in their career, channeling 00s style nu-metal (with hardcore and grunge undertones), you’d be forgiven for thinking this was some underground release from the golden era of the genre. The crowning glory of ‘Chains’ is its equilibrium between unbridled metallic outbursts and murky, pensive moments. Black Coast’s capability to rehash classic sounds in such a compelling way is their ultimate strength, the band continue to drop banger after banger, and with a new EP set for release next month, we’ll thankfully not be waiting long for more. – Elliot Grimmie
Hangman’s Chair – Spleenwise
The French doom metal visionaries Hangman’s Chair are currently on tour across Europe and, in the run up, have released ‘Spleenwise’, the final song to be released from the sessions for latest album A Loner. Sonically sitting somewhere around the morose goth of Type O Negative and the evocative doom of Pallbearer, their own take on doom is nuanced, emotionally raw and never anything less than open and honest. ‘Spleenwise’ might not have made the original album cut, but it’s still a strikingly resonant song that feels perfectly in keeping with their own canon of work. It’s a haunting, yearning piece with soaring vocals and guitars that swirl around before crashing down in thunderously heavy fashion. Lovers of melodic doom who aren’t already onboard – correct that immediately, as they’re one of the most unique and compelling voices in the genre today. – Will Marshall
James and the Cold Gun – My Silhouette
Self-proclaimed ‘South Wales’ loudest’ band, James and the Cold Gun have been slowly gathering a cult following in recent years, partly in thanks to their extensive touring that has took their compelling live performances to all corners of the UK. Finally, on the 28th of July, the five-piece are dropping their eponymous debut, and ‘My Silhouette’ is a fantastic lead single to kick this new era off with. Raucous, up-tempo punk with gritty guitar riffing and thunderous percussion that give the track a snarling, swaggering vibe that makes it impossible to ignore. On top of this, frontman James Joseph once again delivers his vocals with an over-the-top faux arrogance that really ties it all together, whilst delivering some killer melodies that are dangerously catchy. The ‘Now all that’s left is my silhouette‘ hook, especially during the final breakdown, ensures that this is a track that will go down a storm live. Get on board with this band now before they take off. – Ryan Ward
Blank Atlas – This Mountain
Bristol rock trio Blank Atlas are back with their new single ‘This Mountain’, a swirling stomping anthem. The song epitomises what Blank Atlas do so well in their musicianship, fusing a duality of melody and grit as well as packing in groove and fun unexpected inflections. It’s different again to previous releases and continues the band’s run showing an impressive ability to make songs that never stay in one place or leave you feeling like you can predict what will happen next. There is still a sense of familiarity, with this unpredictable grey area created by Blank Atlas that makes listening to a new song exciting and fresh. They aren’t afraid to get heavy either and ‘This Mountain’ sure does hit with some punch, notably with its fast paced verses and breakdown section (it gets proper riffy). The band are comfortably churning out bangers and it will be interesting to see how cohesively these fit together on their debut album Dawn Chorus, expected to land in May. – Jac Holloway
Drain – ‘FTS (KYS)’
California hardcore heavyweights Drain are back with much anticipated third single ‘FTS (KYS)’ taken from their new record Living Proof. It’s not only for seasoned fans but also those new to the hardcore scene, especially if you’re looking for something hot and fresh to get through the rest of this brutal cold season. Smacking the listener in the face with that their own brand of raw power and a sprinkling of thrash, there’s powerful beats, ripping guitars, and their signature raw, thrashy vocals. It all comes together perfectly just before slowing it down a notch for a beefy breakdown to close. With artwork done once again by the legend Silvio Capoferri and a music video shot by the amazing Riley Lattanza; it’s a visual as well as aural feast and should be a perfect example on what to expect out of this ripper of an album. – Nathaniel Maure
Veil Of Maya – Red Fur
Metalcore virtuosos Veil of Maya are back and better than ever with the single ‘Red Fur’. Third single off upcoming LP [m]other, this one isn’t to be trifled with. Utilizing their signature style of pop infused djent, you’re almost getting exactly what you’ve asked for in a Veil of Maya track, if not more. Vocalist Lukas Magyar has shown in the past that he isn’t afraid to break out some belting clean vocals when he needs to and ‘Red Fur’ is no exception. Full of melody while maintaining a crushing rhythm sections has always been of of the band’s strong points and that hasn’t changed one bit. ‘Red Fur’ gives the audience a wonderful taste of what’s to expect come release day.- Nathaniel Maure
AJJ – Death Machine / White Ghosts
Arizona oddballs AJJ return to their roots with two new folk punk tinged tracks that also incorporate the more experimental elements of their more recent work in anticipation of their upcoming eighth studio release Disposable Everything. ‘Death Mahcine’, the first of the tracks, is the more punk oriented of the two, reminiscent of their work on 2016’s The Bible 2, with distorted samples and driving drums from band newcomer Kevin Higuchi. In classic AJJ fashion the upbeat instrumentals are a thin veil for pessimistic, political lyrics decrying society’s apathy to the environment and ourselves. ‘White Ghosts’ is much closer to AJJ’s most recent album Good Luck Everybody with a melancholy tone and instrumentals wavering between lo-fi piano and plucked acoustic guitar. Frontman Sean Bonnette’s voice is in the limelight here, with his signature mid-breakdown wobble giving the track a moving, ethereal quality, really elevating it from the subtle instrumentals. Disposable Everything is out this May and, based on the singles they’ve released so far, it’s shaping up to be their most diverse and interesting release in years. – Tom Bruce
Closure In Moscow – Better Way
The return of post-hardcore legends Closure In Moscow has been nine years in the making, and ‘Better Way’ makes the wait worth it, with the most realised and polished track the outfit have released yet. The track comes from their upcoming album ‘Soft Hell’, which deals with the paradoxical comfort that can be found in discomfort. ‘Better Way’ hammers home those themes with some of the band’s most introspective and vulnerable lyricism yet, whilst maintaining the killer vocals from Christopher de Cinque that have always helped to make their sound so distinctive. The instrumentation keeps that theatrical, danceable flair that has always underpinned the sound of Closure In Moscow, with rapid fire percussion and frantic guitars, but there’s a certain emphasis on groove here that really makes this track feel like the most mature and focused effort yet from the group, especially when the track restrains itself during a particularly fantastic guitar solo. – Ryan Ward
Project:Vengeance – Cut.Bleed.Repeat.
The ‘Big Six, a self-styled “boy band” of deathcore vocalists, finally released their first single after months of hype and media coverage, and none of the vocalists are on it. It’s just animal noises for three minutes and thirty-four seconds. But seriously, Project:Vengeance just dropped one of the heaviest tracks of the year, and not just musically. If the title wasn’t enough to indicate, lyrically, ‘Cut.Bleed.Repeat.’ would have made the PRMC’s Filthy Fifteen had it come out twenty years ago. It’s a beatdown that will cow any further submissions to heaviest deathcore track of 2023. It rocks. – Josiah Aden
Mike Shinoda – In My Head
Written for the sixth instalment in the iconic slasher series Scream, ‘In My Head’ is a killer thumping electronic rock tune from Linkin Park co-vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Shinoda, and acts as his second single in the movie, the other ‘Still Alive’ featuring Demi Lovato. Pulsating, heavy beats dictating the dark feel of the song, Shinoda’s signature rapping is met with Kailee Morgue’s alt-pop smooth vocals in the addictive chorus. The atmosphere built in the track through the melody and menacing, tense lyrics are a match made in heaven (or hell, perhaps, considering the nature of the franchise). As always, Shinoda masters modern rock. – Katie Ashton
Rival Sons – Bird in the Hand
Soulful classic rock purveyors Rival Sons bring a spoonful of Beatles-stylised melody to their third taster for the forthcoming Darkfighter album. Following on from the full pelt heavy rock banger ‘Nobody wants to Die’ and the Led Zeppelin scented ‘Rapture’, the Californian rockers always sound at their best when they dig deeper into their song-writing palette. ‘Bird in the Hand’ recalls The Black Keys more than it does Led Zeppelin. Sounding deceptively easy, it oozes strong song-writing craft, and Jay Buchanan’s soulfully measured vocal delivery displays impressive maturity. – Andy Little
