False Reality – Cost Of Spite
Ahead of their tour with industrial metalcore mob Heriot, London crossover crew False Reality have shared ‘Cost Of Spite’ and, as ever, it’s a ripper. In just two and a half minutes, they reaffirm why they’re one of the UK’s premiere crossover acts with churning drums and pulverising guitars. It’s a battle cry against inequality, as vocalist Rachel Rigby comments on the single:”The song is about the inequality there is still out there in the world. Feeling anger when your hard work and passions get boiled down to your gender, skin colour or sexuality. It’s also about pulling away from feeling like you have to shrink yourself down and dilute yourself to make others feel comfortable, instead of being your most expressive self.” Don’t miss False Reality as they tear the UK a new one this month. – Will Marshall
Employed To Serve – Breaks Me Down
The latest single from the upcoming Fallen Star, ‘Breaks Me Down’ sees Woking wrecking crew Employed To Serve branch out even further than before. Pulsing electronic drums, and Sammy Urwin crooning softly; this isn’t a typical ETS track opening at all. When the groove does come in with Justine Jones‘ ferocious bark, it kicks like a mule, while the chorus sees Sammy utilise gritty singing once more. Metallic hardcore this ain’t – they’ve evolved into a fully fledged heavy metal outfit with the chops to match at this point, synth flourishes even making themselves known in the most interesting release from the new album so far. – Will Marshall
Soot Sprite – Days After Days
The latest single to be taken from Soot Sprite’s upcoming record Wield Your Hope Like A Weapon – released May 16th via Specialist Subject Records – ‘Days After Days’ animates the title of the record it belongs to. Whilst the track may still be a host to the anxious and layered indiegaze that binds the band’s sound, the track strikes a defiant tone, one that implores all to cherish what light we can find in this increasingly dark world. “It’s about facing the endless horrors of the world and remembering to pay attention to the good. People on the ground, activism, and remembering that we shouldn’t be hardened by everything we witness or we can lose empathy”, states Elise Cook on the track. “And it feels like without empathy we’ll never be able to achieve class consciousness, and lose our sense of community.” – Dan Hillier
FOXCULT – THE EMERALD GROVE (Feat. Tom Byrne)
Losing a vocalist who was a key part of the band’s identity would be an event that would derail most bands, especially before your first album, but FOXCULT aren’t most bands. Continuing their march as one of the most exciting bands around, they recruited Tiare Ball whose powerful, emotional voice is on show for all to see on the bands brand new single, ‘THE EMERALD GROVE’. Much like the bands previous work, it’s a driving, soulful journey of a track that at times, floats through the air with a sense of curious beauty before grabbing you by the throat for an earworm chorus. Featuring a guest spot by Galleons vocalist Tom Byrne, he fits in with their sound so well, adding a level of bite and grit to proceedings. It hasn’t been an easy road for FOXCULT yet throughout, they’ve never faltered from their vision and beliefs. With this potentially being the first step on the road to the band’s as yet unannounced debut album, it’s time to get to know the band and immerse yourself in their incredible world of lore and music. – Chris Earl
Model/Actriz – Doves
Post-punk? Noise-rock? Dance-pop inspired? Accepted by hardcore crowds and booked for Outbreak Festival? Not that in the modern day we should pigeonhole music into a specific category, but Model/Actriz do traverse many scenes, influences and sounds. Why is that, you ask? Well when you put out a critically acclaimed album like Dogsbody it answers all those questions, and if you haven’t swallowed down that LP you should do so immediately. After gaining a following and the attention of many worldwide, they are set to set 2025 alight with their next album Pirouette. Infectious electronics and floating vocals create an addictive sound with this second single ‘Doves’. A dancefloor filler for 3am, get that disco ball spinning and the light show going off. It’s time to get down. – Adam Vallely
Pup – Get Dumber (Feat. Jeff Rosenstock)
Canadian punk trailblazers Pup are back making waves in anticipation of their fifth full length album Who Will Look After The Dogs?, due to be released this May. Alongside their old pal and modern ska icon Jeff Rosenstock who provides some suitably deranged backing vocals, the four-piece barrel haphazardly through their latest single ‘Get Dumber’, embodying the raucous DIY spirit of their earlier work with a renewed sense of humour over a backdrop of feedback fueled, fuzzed-out guitar riffs. While their more melodic work has made them punk rock superstars, ‘Getting Dumber’ proves that Pup can still get as rowdy and dirty as ever. – Tom Bruce
Knives – PHD
‘You owe your success to me!’ vocalist Jay Schottlander belts out from the perspective of the unfortunate few in the music industry who see themselves as integral to the band’s success but yet have been immoral along the way. In truth, Knives do deserve success, but it will absolutely be of their own making. ‘PHD’ is a second slice from their debut album, laying the groundwork for what is shaping up to be one of the UK underground’s most exciting releases this year. This is heavy, groovy, funky and full of grit. With their headline tour starting this week, it is a great opportunity to see what this band can deliver, on their terms, no one else’s. – Adam Vallely
Wounded Touch – Consequence and Broadcast
Botch were touring last year, The Dillinger Escape Plan are still announcing shows and Poison The Well are releasing new music; it’s 2025 and that iconic late 90s to early 00s mathy, gritty metalcore/post-hardcore sound is still alive and well, especially when newer blood like Wounded Touch take it upon themselves to weave it into their own raw, visceral sonic identity. ‘Consequence and Broadcast’ is the last single before the band’s sophomore album A Vivid Depiction Of Collapse releases later this May and based off of how unforgivingly good their 2022 debut and recent split with fallfiftyfeet were, it’s safe to expect no less from the Michigan crew. Fans of early Norma Jean specifically should be all over this. – Avrian O’Brien
BENZO QUEEN – ACAB 4 CUTIE
Arguably the best titled song ever and sounding akin to Raketkanon after one too many E numbers, the latest track from Bristol’s BENZO QUEEN is 54 seconds of wonderful synth-speckled nonsense. Simply, ‘ACAB 4 CUTIE’ is a product of equal parts delirium and derangement, something that can only come a band that is seemingly the living embodiment of the thick, almost semi-liquid atmosphere that’s synonymous with those kinds of basement floor shows where both the band and attendees spend the majority of the set with their feet on the ceiling. Should this be appealing to one, make sure to run this and check out BENZO QUEEN’s upcoming record NO GODS NO MASTERS NO SLEEVES, releasing April 18th via Stolen Body Records. – Dan Hillier
Believe In Nothing – What Would You Do?
Permeated in air of desperation and bounded by a bleak narrative that mirrors the work of Chat Pile, ‘What Would You Do?’ is the debut single from Believe In Nothing, a band that will no doubt be fawned over by fans of the sludgy Oklahoma band aforementioned. Bleak, full of dread and containing just the right amount of hardcore influence required to fully emphasise the layers of cacophonous noise that forms this, this track almost plays out like a car crash; it’s ugly, miserable but impossible to pull away from. It’s still early days for Believe In Nothing, but this debut shows a band full of promise, regardless of how dark it may be. “The song ‘What Would You Do?’ is the first taste of the desperate and violent world we wan to show”, state the band on the track. “It’s a contemplation of public execution, humiliation and ultimately enjoying it.” – Dan Hillier
Viagra Boys – The Bog Body
In a modern world of seriousness, pain and suffering, it is comforting to know we have bands like Viagra Boys, who continue to bring humour through their lyrics and delivery through straight-up banging tunes. ‘The Bog Body’ tells a (hopefully fictional) love story of our protagonist falling for an ancient woman brought up from the ice after many years. The accompanying video shows the relationship develop between vocalist Sebastian Murphy and the Bog Woman and his fascination stretching to obsession. It is ridiculous, but that’s why people love these Swedish post-punkers. Not forgetting the rhythmic riffing layered with sax and electronics that will guarantee a foot shuffling dance. Viagra Boys proving once against they are a medicine to all your headaches, aches and pains. – Adam Vallely
Split Chain – bored. tired. torn.
Bristolian nu-gazers Split Chain have revealed their debut album motion blur – out 11 July on Epitaph – along with a new single from it, ‘bored. tired. torn.’ and it picks up right where their previous singles have left off. Fusing grungy atmosphere with nu metal bounce and more than a hint of shoegaze, it’s almost ripped straight from the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack. As ever, it comes with a heavy, personal message from the band about their own experiences. Frontman Bert Martinez-Cowles explains, “‘bored.tired.torn’ explores the difficulty and pain of growing up in a broken childhood home. Thematically the song centers on whether or not someone should have to deal with the shit they’re dealt by relatives just because they’re family.” – Will Marshall
Less Than Hollow – Far From Over
Less Than Hollow’s new single ‘Far From Over’ blends pop-punk, Midwest emo and Americana grunge into a track that feels ripped straight from the summer of 2007. It starts with a ballad-like softness, but beneath the surface lies a deep-seated anger, channeled through raw, cathartic lyrics. The song stays controlled for most of its two-and-a-half-minute runtime, with heavier guitars kicking in only at the very end, just as the chorus hits. This unconventional structure adds to its impact, making ‘Far From Over’ a compelling listen. A strong release from Less Than Hollow, and we can’t wait to hear what’s next. – Vee Richardson
Indifferent Engine – Crescents
Too proggy for post-hardcore, too hardcore for prog, Indifferent Engine don’t really fit in anywhere; which makes them all the more exciting. The group’s new single ‘Crescents’ animates such a sentiment wonderfully, with motifs of At The Drive-In, Tool, Touché Amore and Ohhms all inhabiting the same space. Yes, there’s tension in this sound, which is understandable given all the elements vying for supremacy, but it’s this pressure and strain that makes ‘Crescents’ just so thrilling. There’s a real sense of potent energy to this track that’s a result of this chemistry, and ultimately there’s no denying that Indifferent Engine are easily one of the most kinetic names in UK post hardcore right now. – Dan Hillier
Kusanagi – Spacial Awareness
Taken from their upcoming record Paramnesia – released May 30th via Ripcord Records – ‘Spacial Awareness’ see’s Liverpool post rockers Kusanagi tightening up everything that made them just so good in the first place. Both restrained and controlled yet fluid and free, ‘Spacial Awareness’ is spectral instrumentalism free of both the sloppy improvisational and tightfisted stoicism that can sometimes banes both sides of the post rock spectrum. – Dan Hillier
Parcs – Red Lines
Despite drawing inspiration from the carefree and gravity defining tones of 80’s nu-disco, the new single from Newport’s finest synth-pop export Parcs documents the nature of a subject most grounded. Taken from their upcoming EP Sleepless, ‘Red Lines’ touches upon the reality of living with depression, anxiety and hopelessness amidst a reality where taking time for self-care can be seen as selfish. However, despite this lyrical focus, it’s this contrast between the tracks’s optimistic and effervescent synth sound that just makes this so alluring. Whilst this track may conjure thoughts of floating down starlit LA highways, this is undeniably a product of having survive a grey, dismal and damp nation carless of ones’s struggles. Yes, the track’s fizzy synth-pop may be wonderful, but it’s this contrast and juxtaposition that makes ‘Red Lines’ fantastic. – Dan Hillier
Existentialist – Death Before Death
After almost two years after their last piece of material dropped and a tour with Italian brutalists Drown In Sulfur, Essex based symphonic deathcore crew Existentialist are back with a bang. Not wasting any time, the band explode into their signature twisted blackened dystopia with vocalist Patty Kolasa gurgling and delivering some horrific sounding screeches behind the epic back drop of orchestral domination. Alll as blast beat machine extraordinaire Olly Winn pounds his kit like it owes him money. If they can come back this strong after a near two year wait, there’s a lot to look forward to. – Liam True