Genghis Tron – I Am All
New Genghis Tron is never a bad thing, the experimental cybergrind weirdos are back at it with ‘I Am All’ the first single of their upcoming album Signal Fire. This one starts out very much picking up from where Dream Weapon left off, until a couple of minutes in where they bring back that old sound from the earlier records, the abrasive, grinding, digitised onslaught of guitars backed up with winding electronica synths and some really dutty vocals courtesy of Tony Wolski of The Armed (yes they bought him back, because isn’t it just a match made in heaven?). Whilst the track definitely takes notes from Dream Weapon there is a harsher edge to it, with the last section going full old skool Genghis Tron. It makes for a really interesting introduction to the new record, here’s hoping they keep the harsh dirty vibes going, it’ll make a nice contrast to the dreamy monolith of their previous release. – Rob Bown
Truck Violence – New Jesus
Happy-go-lucky Montreal band Truck Violence are back with the first cut from their sophomore album, The Weathervane Is My Body, having now signed to The Flenser, a move that makes a lot of sense given their sonic proximity to their new stablemates Chat Pile and Crippling Alcoholism. This first cut is a sludgy, harrowing howl of anti-fascist noise that calls to mind their fellow Canadians KEN mode at the start, before exploding into a flurry of blackened blasts and howling guitars, then folding back into a final raging, misanthropic wail. It’s every bit as bleak as its subject matter, and a great warning shot of what’s to come on 26th June. – Paul Stephenson
Terror – Fear the Panic (Feat. Hot Water Music)
Hardcore icons and pillars of the modern LA scene Terror prove that unbridled anger, unity, and riffs that are brutal yet memorable in equal parts are still the way forward. Teaming up with 90s punk icons Hot Water Music on their latest single ‘Fear The Panic’ taken from Still Suffer, which is set to release 24th April via Flatspot Records, this track merges vital socio-political lyricism with rightful, uncompromising aggression, and a breakdown that would make even a casual listener refuse to stand still-definitely a worthy homage to hardcore’s dynamic past and experimental future.-Ez Luscombe
False Advertising – Next Big Thing
False Advertising have long held the blessing of a curse that is being known as a ‘best kept secret’. It remains to be seen if the ‘Next Big Thing’ will change the status quo, but either way, it’s a total rager. Taken from the band’s upcoming record The Sorry Window – released May 1st – ‘Next Big Thing’ see’s the Manchester group furthering their once grungy sound by infusing it with a sense of primordial punk rage that’s almost reminiscent of the likes of Lambrini Girls and Die Spitz. It’s a certainly a bit of a departure from the sound of their last full length, but if this and the singles that came before it are anything to go by, False Advertising may be on the road of becoming the name of this song with The Sorry Window. – Dan Hillier
Hammok – Gooning For Free
There’s an irresistible energy to this second track from Hammok‘s new album, When Does This Place Become Our Scene (out 5th June), propelled as it is across its scant one minute and forty-five seconds by a riff that bounces along like Will Haven being forced to play a Health song. It’s energetic and effervescent enough that it almost covers up for what must be one of the worst song titles in history. You can imagine it filling a rock nightclub dance floor, even if it’ll be over before anyone’s got time to put down their drink and get out of their seat. – Paul Stephenson
i Häxa – Fishing Net
The mysterious and multifaceted i Häxa return with ‘Fishing Net’, the lead single from their new EP Oceans. The Pelagic Records act, brainchild of the multi-talented Rebecca Need-Menear, are on fine form here. ‘Fishing Net’ is replete with the melodic atmosphere of i Häxa‘s eponymous debut full-length and sits in satisfying contrast to the rockier EP opener ‘Oceans’ and bridging middle track ‘Swell’. Anyone that caught their set at ATG a couple of years back will know all too well the kind of emotional potency and musical dexterity that i Häxa possess, and the lilting piano, layered vocals, and sparingly placed cello on ‘Fishing Net’ set a beguiling tone for what will likely be an expanded project pulled together into a gorgeous Pelagic box set in due course. This is a net you won’t want to escape from in a hurry. – Pete Wall
Vacant Voice – Waste
Fans of abrasive vocals, high energy and unrelating heaviness packed into one neat space will find two minutes of paradise in ‘Waste’. Corrosive growls, raw screams and crushing sonics crash together to get your heart racing. It’s the kind of track that hypes you up for the pit and keeps the adrenaline moving so you can survive it. Being this dense feels deliberate. Reflecting the theme of self-criticism explored in the lyrics, feelings of tension and emotional overload are created in the layers of cutting aggression. Simultaneous release comes form engaging with the track, encompassing the therapeutic nature of metalcore that so many of us seek out. It is chaotic and restless without being disorganised or overworked. Taking a moment to catch your breath becomes a need rather than a want as the brutal delivery runs without respite. – Mignonette Ellis
Million Moons – Black Sun Rising
London-based post-rock quartet Million Moons follow their 2024 record I May Be Some Time with the rousing new single ‘Black Sun Rising’. In composing the piece, the band took inspiration from Rachel Carson’s 1962 environmental science book Silent Spring, which presciently warns of the impact of humanity’s use of pesticides and other malignant industrial processes on the natural world. The title itself comes from the Danish term for murmuration, “sort sol”, which translates to “black sun” in English. The delicate, sweeping arrangement is a promising sign of things to come from a band that have already established their creative credentials across their two previous records. This is music to soothe the soul and strengthen the spirit in the face of a damaged and confounding world. – Pete Wall
Yellowcard – Bedroom Posters (Feat. Blippi)
As the second version of this song released (the first with fellow 2000s pop-punk icons Good Charlotte) featuring preschool Youtube sensation Blippi, Yellowcard’s dedication to blending accessible, upbeat melodies with heartfelt and honest lyrics has been one of the reasons why they’re one of the more fondly remembered pop-punk acts of the late 90s and early 2000s. The nostalgia and longing for simpler times is strong on latest single ‘Bedroom Posters’, and Blippi’s youthful energy is a welcome addition the track; if you’re looking for a song that won’t drive you mad on long drives with the kids, then look no further. -Ez Luscombe
DevilDriver – Dig Your Own Grave
One of the legacy bands to carry the groove metal torch in modern times, Californians DevilDriver have released the first (and opening) track off their freshly announced new record Strike To Kill. Not content with any fancy intros or build up, ‘Dig Your Own Grave’ is a straight out of the blocks banger of a track complete with fierce guitars, a gnarly chorus and of course, attitude coming out if it’s ears thanks to the voice of veteran frontman Dez Fafara. With Strike To Kill due for release in July, it’s a strong statement from the well travelled band, who are staking a good claim to show they’ve still got it as bands like Bleed From Within rule the current modern metal roost. – Chris Earl
Prince Of Failure – Horizon (Feat. Daedric)
Prog fans, rejoice – Chimp Spanner (aka Paul Ortiz) and Daniel Tompkins (Tesseract) have joined forces under the banner of Prince Of Failure, a project the duo have been working on for the last 8 years together. Their first single, ‘Horizon’, blends electronic elements from synths and trap drums, alongside Ortiz’ inimical approach to progressive music and Tompkins’ remarkable voice. They’ve also enlisted Daedric vocalist Kristyn Hope, whose ethereal melodies glide through the song alongside Tomkins’, and she delivers some devastating gutturals at the song’s zenith. A concept record of sorts exploring neurodivergence and its myriad experiences, Tompkins explains of ‘Horizon’: “[It] captures the moment where everything feels like it’s collapsing around you, but something inside is still pushing you forward. Within the wider story of the album it marks the beginning of the transformation – the point where the protagonist is forced to confront the weight of his own doubts and the expectations placed on him.” Their self-titled album releases 19th June via Kscope. – Will Marshall
Enemy Inside – R.I.P.
Enemy Inside may be leaning further into genre blending sounds, but the heaviness of metal never left, and this new release solidifies that. Maintaining the duality of high energy pop-lead hooks with the aggression of metal, this identifiable sound is present. Just like previous tracks, it draws you in for emotional chaos and fun. ‘R.I.P.’ encourages you to jump around, address those who wronged you, singing “R.I.P. to the ones who tried to break me” before claiming peace by cathartically screaming “shovel you six feet deep, six feet deeper”. Preceded by a clean shredding guitar solo that would ensue carnage, Enemy Inside tread the line between symphonic, cinematic drama and corrosive metal edginess. Evolving with a pop twist in their more recent tracks, they are in danger of becoming a popular gateway band for many newcomers into the heavy music scene. – Mignonette Ellis