Sandra Ebert
September 10, 2023| Dan Hillier |FEATURES
Scaler, The Hyena Kill, Soul Glo, The Gaslight Anthem, Pendulum and More: New Noizze – The 30 Must-Listen Tracks of the Week
Featuring everything from Aussie DnB to French Canadian beatdown, here are the best 30 singles of the week.
Scaler – Loam (Feat. Daniel Avery)
“Who on Earth are Scaler?” you might ask. Well, they are that most excellent rave-rock band formerly known as Scalping. A decision in name change due to its offensive nature to Indigenous cultures was the right decision, and hats off to the Bristolians doing this regardless of their momentum under their previous moniker. Releasing during a rightfully deserved surge in popularity off the back of playing festivals like Forwards and ArcTanGent, ‘Loam’ see’s the Bristol collective moving more towards their dancier elements rather than the atmospherics their post-rock influences bring. Yet, to call it a departure from their slightly more punishing routes would be a fallacy. In fact, with UK dance producer Daniel Avery assisting in the creation of the track, ‘Loam’ is quite frankly an irresistible and chemically charged electro banger that will see this remarkable and universally appealing band rightfully reach the next level of their career. – Adam Vallely
The Hyena Kill – Piece Of Hell
It’s been one blistering hot minute since we’ve last heard from The Hyena Kill, but the Manchester trio are well and truly back with their incendiary new single ‘Piece Of Hell’. The first track to be taken from their forthcoming third record and the follow up to their criminally underappreciated 2021 full length A Disconnect, ‘Piece Of Hell’ is three and half minutes of acidic bile straight from one of the North’s greatest names, with the single harkening back to the band’s thorned roots. But despite it’s unrelating intensity and scorching guitar solo – a first for The Hyena Kill – there’s still tenderness and melancholia. To be quite frank, it’s a total rager, but a track of nuance that highlight’s the intricate dichotomy between emotion and heft that’s at the crux of this brilliant band. – Dan Hillier
The Gaslight Anthem – Little Fires (Feat. Stefan Babcock)
Coming in hot after the release of their last single ‘History Books’, heartland punk legends The Gaslight Anthem are back with another single featuring a fellow punk icon in tow. Featuring PUP’s Stefan Babcock on harmonies, ‘Little Fires’ is the countermeasure to the frustration and lethargy found within the band’s respective previous single, with the track being three minutes of high-octane shout along punk perfect for both dingy clubs and the cavernous venues The Gaslight Anthem are esteemed for commandeering. “’Little Fires’ is like the opposite end of the spectrum from the frustration you feel in ‘History Books’”, states Brain Fallon. “It’s an empowerment song, about refusing to play along with the kind of people who always seem to be throwing a grenade into the room for no particular reason.” – Dan Hillier
SeeYouSpaceCowboy – Rhythm and Rapture (feat. nothing, nowhere.)
San Diego sasscore maestros SeeYouSpaceCowboy tag in one-man emo-rap pioneer nothing, nowhere. on the beautifully melodic Rhythm and Rapture. Taking things in a more polished direction, front woman Connie Sgarbossa comments that the song was created out of a want to mix ’00s dancey indie rock like Foals, Cut Off Your Hands and Bloc Party with a post-hardcore sound and it’s clear the band have taken the time to craft a song that reflects the variety of bands they listened to in their youth. With some insanely danceable sections conjuring memories of their breakout Songs For The Firing Squad mixtape, SYSC still manage to hold onto the raw, unpredictable essence they’ve become so beloved for. With collaborator nothing, nowhere. stating that is it an ‘honour’ to be a part of the track, SeeYouSpaceCowboy remain one the most exciting bands in heavy music today. – Jordan Aldridge
Gama Bomb – Speed Funeral
A true cult gem of the underground music scene for the last two decades, Northern Ireland’s Gama Bomb are back with yet more in your face, fun, addictive thrash. ‘Speed Funeral’ sees the band delve into the harsh reality of death and the less harsh pseudo reality of having your corpse blasted into space. While your friends and family watch – obviously. Sonically it’s a blast of classic heavy metal thrashing goodness, backed up by some lovely full production from guitarist Domo Dixon. Philly Byrne is his usual cheeky self, turning the main refrain “rest in speed” into a deeply burrowing earworm. The first release from BATS, which is due out on the 10th of November, it’s part of a selection of tracks that take inspiration from classic horror and Hollywood, and apparently there’s some saxophone in there too. If party thrash with some jazz in there doesn’t float your boat, then there’s no saving you. – Chris Earl
Pendulum – Colourfast
The latest tune from Aussie drum’n’bass legends Pendulum provides for an interesting and somewhat relaxing listen. A mix of old and new, ‘Colourfast’ utilises dreamy synths, classic DnB drum beats and Rob Swire‘s soothing voice to create a slightly different track than normally expected from the band, although they’ve released some experimental stuff before. The vision of 4am in nighttime Miami is painted perfectly against the gentle bass and rocking beat as the background synths work their magic to create a future nostalgia. Of course, no Pendulum song would be right without a proper kick snare DnB beat, which comes in for the chorus to kick things up a notch. Overall, this is a great song by a band that proves their own theory that having ‘colour’ in the title of your song guarantees greatness. – Jude Bennett
Blood Command – Heaven’s Hate
Most bands wouldn’t dream of releasing six singles from an album; most bands aren’t Blood Command. Their upcoming album World Domination features a mind-bending 20 songs in under 40 minutes, so even with the breadth they’ve showed across them, it’s still barely a third of the album. That sixth single is the 72-second blast of white-hot fury of ‘Heaven’s Hate’, a rampaging, party anthem like only Blood Command could do. Stomping drums, thunderous bass, groove-laden guitar and Nikki Brumen’s unmistakeable bark are all here and don’t let up from start to finish. The band said of the song, “Heaven’s Hate is a song about leeches of humanity, who will try and suck you dry of your talent. When they finally reveal their true colours and you see through them, you burn them and watch them bow down as you rise above.” – Will Marshall
Dreamwell – Blighttown Type Beat
Dreamwell are back once more, dropping the second single from their upcoming third album, In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You. The queer screamo ensemble sound utterly furious on their new track, ‘Blighttown Type Beat’, a raucous track that blisters by in under three minutes, but packs so many creative ideas begging to be enjoyed. Vocalist Keziah Staska is a monolithic presence throughout, ripping through rollicking hardcore styled spoken word before launching into searing screamed passages in the thunderous climax that rattles you to your bones. Apocalyptic and often discordant guitars provide tidal waves of sonic terror against a backdrop of complex, weaving guitars, and a driving bass line that embellishes the whole affair with powerful groove. This album is shaping up to be something truly special. – Ryan Ward
Soul Glo – If I Speak (Shut the Fuck Up)
A year on from their landmark third album, Diaspora Problems, Soul Glo are back once more with their brand new punk rager, ‘If I Speak (Shut The Fuck Up)’. A vicious statement on channeling one’s voice through art, and the reduction of this medium to little more than online content, Soul Glo are raucous and unapologetic in their sound. GG Guerra kicks the track off with gritty, menacing guitar riff, before Pierce Jordan and TJ Stevenson join in with furiously raw vocals and monstrous percussion. The track explodes into a hurricane of righteous punk fury as the band deliver a sonic bludgeon of a performance, punctuated by that cathartic ‘shut the fuck up’ hook. A track that is sure to be a delight on their upcoming co-headline tour with Zulu. – Ryan Ward
Dream Nails – Ballpit
In an age where taking time to pursue leisure has become something of a radical act, the latest single from queer punk gang Dream Nails couldn’t be any more apt. Taken from the band’s upcoming record Doom Loop, released October 13th via Marshall Records, ‘Ballpit’ may be inspired by an hour the band simply spent playing in an adult ballpit, but this punk rager is much more than just being about lounging in plastic. Rather, ‘Ballpit’ is a track that urges one to take the crucial time needed to have fun, mentally recharge and have fun for the sake of it in a culture that’s characterised by anxiety, fear and hatred. “This song is about having fun for the sake of it”, states drummer Lucy Katz. “It’s about the pursuit of hedonism as a radical act. Sometimes the dread and hopelessness caused by the succubus of late-capitalism, patriarchy, white supremacy, and environmental devastation feels overwhelming. These problems aren’t going to be solved by acting silly in a ball pit or writing a song about it, but part of breaking through the doom loop is learning how to have self-compassion, to carve out moments and spaces where we can play and simply exist.” – Dan Hillier
Pkew Pkew Pkew – The Night John Buck Hit Three Home Runs
Emotive Toronto skate punks Pkew Pkew Pkew (as in the sound you make when pretending to fire a laser) are back, with a bit of a slow burner this time round. ‘The Night John Buck Hit Three Home Runs’ may be a bit of a mouthful to say, but as a song, it’s a weird sort of feel good gut punch. An ode to baseball, more specifically it’s ability to bring people from all walks of life together. The repetitive acoustic background sets the stage for a tale about watching the titles event in all manner of places, coalescing in a hospice room. It’ll stir up a lot of emotions, good and bad. Mainly dedicated to vocalist Mike Warnes‘ grandfather, it’s one of those tracks that tells an entire, at times too vivid story in just over two minutes. It may not be your thing, but it’s a song you should go out of your way to listen to, at least once. Who knows, you might end up singing the ending refrain of “go Bluejays” under your breath the next time you watch sport with someone you care about. – Chris Earl
Code Orange – Mirror
A band who seem to revel in keeping their fans guessing as to what direction they’ll take next, Code Orange‘s latest single, ‘Mirror’, is perhaps the most left field of the lot. An almost acid tinged ballad, it’s solely delivered by Reba Myers and she manages to nail a sort of unhinged vulnerability. Accompanied by a video that has to be seen to be believed, the track almost floats along, with a meld of acoustic guitar and some layered electronic elements. With their latest album The Above out the 29th of September, this track will definitely have people wondering what else the band could possibly try their hand at. It’s not going to just be a curio in their back catalogue either, as it’s a really enjoyable, interesting track, possibly the only Code Orange track you could sit back and truly in the bath. Just try not to think about the video too much while you do it. – Chris Earl
High Regard – Life Sentence
The emerging Hertfordshire trio High Regard have shared a new snippet of their upcoming EP Subside in the form of latest single ‘Life Sentence’; as ‘Dead To Me’ before it, it’s anthemic alt rock driven by Georgia Casey’s emotional, energetic vocal performance. Kicking off immediately with charging drums, and raucous guitars, ‘Life Sentence’ wastes no time in setting out its sonic stall. Forming part of an overarching narrative, lyrically it deals with the aftermath of a failed relationship and the impact it can have on us. Musically, the choruses are as soaring as we’ve come to expect from the trio and the song is an urgent, emotionally raw slice of alt-rock that continues to cement their status as up-and-comers in the UK scene. – Will Marshall
Koyo – Life’s A Pill
The Long Island pop punk upstarts Koyo continue to drip-feed teasers of their upcoming debut album in the form of latest single ‘Life’s A Pill’ in a song that takes their hardcore roots and punk swagger to inject it with a striding, anthemic quality. Despite the upbeat nature of their music that’s like souped up pop punk, hardcore and emo, it’s an incredibly lyrically heavy song as it deals with the passing of a family member while the band were on their first US tour. The bridge in particular is an immediate earworm, while the barreling chorus is sure to be shouted back at them from crowds the world over. The band got a huge reception at this year’s Outbreak Festival and it’s hard to imagine that with their debut under their belts, they won’t be onto bigger things. – Will Marshall
Mother Vulture – Go Big Or Go Home
With the band now standing up there with the likes of Turbowolf and The St Pierre Snake Invasion, Mother Vulture’s latest single shows how the band are ready to lead the pack in the zoo that is Bristol’s alternative scene. Condensing the explosive energy the Bristol band are renowned for live into three minutes of high-octane blues-punk, ‘Go Big Or Go Home’ see’s Mother Vulture collaborating with legendary producer Adrian Bushby (Foo Fighters, Muse, Haggard Cat) in order to realise their most explosive offering to date. It’s an absolute powerhouse of energy, and if there was a way to hook this track to the national grid, the entire South West would probably be powered for the next decade or so. – Dan Hillier
Fuming Mouth – The Silence Beyond Life
When Fuming Mouth vocalist/guitarist Mark Whelan was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2021, the shock reverberated around the metal world; Fuming Mouth had swiftly become a beloved band not only in the New England death metal scene but internationally with furious debut The Grand Descent. Now in remission and cancer free, the band have a new lease on life and are gearing up for their second album Last Day of Sun with its first single ‘The Silence Beyond Life’. Just as heavy as we’ve come to expect, but the melodies are stronger than ever, Whelan’s gritty vocals switching between throat-ripping roars and desolate melody. “It’s a song about trying to live while longing to die and overcoming that,” Whelan says of the song; the dichotomy and struggle are palpable, and the personal hell that transformed what was going to be fictional concept album into the tale of struggle, perseverance and lust for life that Last Day of Sun is shaping up to be. – Will Marshall
Birdmask – Recovery
Manuel Gagneux, best known as frontman of post-black metal band Zeal & Ardor, has resurrected his solo art-pop project Birdmask. Combining the chamber pop sounds of bands like Arcade Fire and The Decemberists with emo-tinged hiphop influences, Birdmask represents the other side of Gagneux’s songwriting personality to the much heavier Zeal & Ardor. New single ‘Recovery’ builds itself around a stripped-down piano line with Gagneux’s haunting vocals reverberating through the track before bolstering the sound with dramatic drums and dynamic backing vocals. A deeper look into one of the most interesting and avant-garde artists around across a number of different genres, Recovery shows a more mature, intricate side of the Birdmask persona that points to a bright future for the project. – Tom Bruce
Seagrave – Leader of the Pack
Canada has begun to cement itself amongst countries like Australia in terms of brutal and entertaining metal music. Continuing that trend is Toronto’s Seagrave. This four-piece beatdown outfit has just dropped an absurdly hard track in ‘Leader Of The Pack’, just in time to end the summer. Obnoxiously low guitar tunings and blasting drum parts; Seagrave has seamlessly blended heavy hardcore with some classic deathcore influence to bring listeners some of the heaviest beatdown to come out of the GTA in a couple of years. It’s ignorantly and brazen from start to finish. – Nathaniel Maure
No Hope X Mankind – Gunn A Clou (Feat. Crossover N5)
Montreal is a hotbed of good music in Canada this year. Bands like Bruserweight and Prowl are a couple examples. No Hope X Mankind are no exception. Bringing along Crossover N5 all the way from Russia, this French-Canadian beatdown outfit has gifted us ‘Gunn A Clou’, the group’s first single since the release of Burning Hate back in December of 2022. Two and a half minutes of absolutely brutal Canadian beatdown; the addition of Crossover N5 only adds to the brutality. With guitars tuned as low as Drop F, these guys don’t seem to be messing around. ‘Gunn A Clou’ further proves Canada isn’t to be trifled with when it comes to good, fun, and heavy music. Especially if beatdown is your forte. – Nathaniel Maure
SUDS – Hard For Me
It’s no coincidence that the last of the summer’s warmth arrived in tow with the new single from SUDS. Taken from the band’s upcoming debut LP The Great Overgrowth, released November 3rd via Big Scary Monsters, ‘Hard For Me’ is a charming indie-punk ray of sunshine that just radiates warmth in thanks to it’s hooking riff and sense of lovable charm. Much akin to the band’s previous work, ‘Hard For Me’ is the kind of wistful indie-punk that’s refreshing whilst being poignant, with this track in question pensively looking back on previous relationships and realising you never truly knew the ones you once loved. It’s emotionally dense, but with it’s driving airy stylings keeping the track buoyant and airy, ‘Hard For Me’ is the sound of indie-punk orientated warmth made incarnate. – Dan Hillier
Sewn – Fractured Anatomy
There has been plenty of new music out of Toronto the past couple weeks. Joining the list is Sewn with their new single ‘Fractured Anatomy’. Somber and melodic for a good half of the track, that is until the Canadian quartet slam into what can only be described as a modern Whitechapel track. A clean production gives listeners a chance to really hear every part of this single. From consistent pounding drums, catchy and anxiety inducing string sections, to the absolute talent vocalist Aly Hunter brings to the table. Whitechapel meets Dying Wish wasn’t on our bingo card this year but we aren’t upset about it. Fracture Anatomy is a fantastic display of the fine line between metalcore and deathcore done just right. – Nathaniel Maure
Pale Sky – Hell To the Liars
Metalcore act Pale Sky impressed listers when they released their first EP Year One. Now they’ve returned to do it all again. ‘Hell to the Liars’ proves to be just as, if not more impressive than the rest of the group’s catalogue. Vocalist Quinn McGraw boasts a raw and emotional vocal display; from beautiful melodies to aggressive screams. The delivery borders on flawless. Guitarist Ben Davis has also managed a sound that feels nostalgic yet new at the same time. Unbridled and merciless yet emotionally driven to its core. Pale Sky are giving listeners one of the best examples of what modern metalcore should sound like today. – Nathaniel Maure
Going Off – Crossroads / Weak Links
As short, sharp and to the point as ever, Manchester hardcore crew, Going Off! bring two new tracks, ‘Crossroads’ and ‘Weak Links’ into the world in an ever disgusting package. Both managing to cram a lot into the total two and half minute running time. Changes in pace, breakdowns and mouldy, chunder inducing riffs. The lyrics of ‘Crossroads’ as dark as the musical input with vocalist Jake Huxley’s take on the “themes of death and the fact we’re all born to die at the end of the road. We lose the people we love along the way and it’s just another grim fact of life”. Get down early to Employed To Serve’s tour starting next month to be viciously terrorised by Going Off. – Adam Vallely
Green Lung – Maxine (Witch Queen)
Green Lung’s incoming album The Heathen Land is a “soundtrack to the folk horror film in our heads” vocalist Tom Templar explains. You can feel the cinematic entertaining vibe running through the veins of new single ‘Maxine (Witch Queen)’. A song dedicated to Maxine Saunders a modern High Priestess at the centre of Alexandrian Witchcraft. Tuneful yet haunted Organs akin to the likes of Turbowolf sets the rock n roll dial to 11. Harmonies, riffs, haunting references. What’s not to enjoy? Grab a beer and air guitar late into the night. – Adam Vallely
The Great Nothing – No One.
Ahead of their inaugural live show in October, Manchester-based the great nothing have finally delivered their debut EP, heralded with their new single of the same name, ‘no one.’. Bringing together all of the sounds and styles that the band have experimented with across their previous singles, ‘no one.’ feels like the three-piece’s most defining statement so far. An absolute powerhouse of a single, with a powerful groove provided by the bass talents of Matty Ashton undercutting a fantastically catchy lead guitar riff. Leo Craig doesn’t just provide fantastic riffs here however; with vocals that surge from catchy melodies to guttural screams, and a sublime, driving guitar solo at the far end of the track, his performance throughout is incredible. Connor McColl provides a percussive performance that starts steady, but slowly evolves into a complex and weaving beast, pulling on the light and shade of the layers of music above. – Ryan Ward
Icantdie – Teaser
Welsh trio Icantdie have returned with their brand new single ‘Teaser’ taken from the band’s upcoming and freshly announced EP Errors, due for release on the 17th November. This is the band’s second EP and first slice of new music since 2020’s single ‘Counter’. Commanding vocals, pummelling drums and swirling riffs lay the groundwork on ‘Teaser’ showing off the band’s proficiency in crafting a wall of sound. The track comes out the gates swinging with a stomp and groove rhythm that creates a sense of urgency and impact. Breakdown sections provide an added heft whilst sporadic clean sections show off Vocalist Kyle Smith’s gritty croon. Low chugging Korn-style bass tones are the driving force of the song whilst scratchy guitar slides and the clean bridge section provide interesting additions that makes the song feel like a self-assured and confident single. ‘Teaser’ is a strong statement of intent from Icantdie. – Jac Holloway
Half Happy – Boozy
Welsh Indie Rockers Half Happy have released their new single ‘Boozy’, a self declared love letter to the pub depicting familiar and relatable tales that occur, often as a result of acquainting the usual establishments we have all been to or will go to at some point in our lives. ‘Boozy’ holds strength in its lyrical familiarity and interpretation and Half Happy sprinkle their beautifully airy tones all over this vibrant track. Twinkling guitar patterns are combined with prominent and punchy drums to create a wondrous duality. Vocalist Rosalie Miller delivers the song’s narrative with stunning and delicate form, somehow able to add warmth and depth as well as being impactful. ‘Boozy’ is bound to stir and provoke some of the stories and feelings that may have generated from the various times down your local. Half Happy jump from strength to strength with every new single they release and ‘Boozy’ is no exception. – Jac Holloway
Capra – Human Commodity (Feat. Candace Puopolo)
One of the hottest tipped up and comers in the heavy music scene, Capra are back with a brand new single, titled Human Commodity with one hell of a feature on it. The second single from their upcoming sophomore album Errors, contains some vocals from one of metalcore’s undisputed legends, Candace Puopolo (Walls Of Jericho) and as usual, she sounds gargantuan. Not that she steals any limelight from Capra though, who are frantic throughout. Crow Lotus continues to be one of the most dynamic, exciting vocalists in metal today and the band’s hardcore-n-roll mix is high energy and incredibly fun. With their new record due for release in October, it’s certainly one to keep an eye out for in the end of year deluge, as their punkier, more hectic nature helps them stand out from their chunkier, more knuckle dragging brethren. – Chris Earl
VCTMS – Twist The Rage
When it comes to fourth single territory, you need it to hit as hard as the first, so that fatigue doesn’t set in before the album drops. Thankfully, ‘Twist The Rage, the brand new track from Chicago metalcore bruisers VCTMS is an absolute rager. Just over two minutes in length, an acoustic intro lulls you in before you’re treated to some no holds barred, frantic fury. As excitement builds for the release of their fifth album, titled Vol. V. The Hurt Collection, this track is a perfect reminder of why their brand of nu-metal influenced ‘core is making waves at the moment. Co-Vocalist and drummer Meredith Henderson somehow manages to sound like she’s going to launch herself off the stage, despite being behind a kit and production wise, it manages to have elements of their baggy jeans-wearing influences while still sounding massive and crunching. As the band prepare for some intense touring and the record dropping on October 13th, this is now the time to get on board with VCTMS. – Chris Earl
BEAR – Defeatist (Feat. Vincent Brijs)
The musical equivalent of having one’s limbs ripped off by particularly ravenous grizzly, the latest track to be taken from Belgium’s finest mathcore export is utterly ravaging. Directly inspired by guitarist James Falck’s battle with cancer, ‘Defeatist’ is the sonic embodiment of the fear, anxiety, pain and determination to not only stand strong to the face of death itself, but to rather retaliate against it. Truly, this sense of turmoil and strength is something made palatable with the track’s polyrhythms, earth-shattering tone and sporadic guest saxophone, courtesy of Vincent Brijs from jazz-fusion outfit Brzzvll. Should one not be acquainted with BEAR and be a fan of acts such as LLNN, Hippotraktor and Grief Ritual, this is the perfect introduction to a band who have the perfected the art of sonic mauling. – Dan Hillier
