Zetra – Starfall (Feat. Serena Cherry)
After what feels like years of longing and waiting, the otherworldly beings eternal Zetra have announced their debut LP, a self-titled endeavour released September 13th via Nuclear Blast Records. Heralding it’s approach is ‘Starfall’, an ushering of fatal beauty and celestial esotericism that features Serena Cherry of Svalbard and Noctule. The full realisation of the sound that was probed and explored across their previous work, ‘Starfall’ is a tenderly vicious and fully accomplished ushering of gothic sensibilities across the whole spectrum and timeline of the genre and it’s adjacent movements. It’s quite frankly a bleak yet beautiful shroud of hot goff shit free and removed from the withering nature of time, one that entertains subtle motifs of synth-pop and new wave in a way most brilliant and cohesive. If you’re not acquainted with Zetra, now is the time to begin to know; they’re probably our generation’s equivalent of Type O Negative. – Dan Hillier
Graphic Nature – To the Grave
Nu metallers Graphic Nature had a breakout year in 2023 with debut album a mind waiting to die, and it left them hitting a creative streak and writing its follow-up, the newly-announced Who Are You When No One Is Watching?, releasing July 12. Drum & bass elements are even better incorporated as a skittering beat opens the track and alarm-like synths blare in the background. There’s more than a few shades of Korn and early Slipknot to their aural assault but they make it their own. Vocalist Harvey Freeman explains that ‘To the Grave’ is about “ the frustration that came from an event in my own life that changed the way I see people. It’s the beginning of a narrative of songs that explain the different stages of emotional trauma I’d gone through. With the main focus of the song being about losing your way and becoming a hateful person.” By the sounds of it, we’re in for a harrowing, groove-laden ride. – Will Marshall
Knocked Loose – Don’t Reach For Me
Every single time a new Knocked Loose track releases, it batters you in so many different ways you say to yourself “they can’t possibly make it any heavier”. Then they do. After the scathing ‘Blinding Faith’, the Kentucky natives’ second single from their upcoming record is ‘Don’t Reach For Me’. Boasting one of the most ridiculous snare sounds of their career, it’s an aural barrage of Bryan Garris’ banshee-esque shrieks and some of the most utterly furious music you’ll hear this year. For a band like Knocked Loose to be getting heavier and more menacing with every release is one of the most beautifully deranged elements of the modern heavy music scene and when You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To drops, don’t be surprised if the band manage to one up themselves yet again. – Chris Earl
Other Half – Lifted Fingers (Feat. Matthew Caws)
Taken from their upcoming third record Dark Ageism – released June 21st via Big Scary Monsters – ‘Lifted Fingers’ see’s Norwich post-hardcore trio Other Half with Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws for a dreary but melodic study on the soulless commodification of all we hold dear. Viscerally detailing how it’s vital to preserve our venues and spaces before they’re fitted with LCD screens advertising phone contracts and genocide complicit banks, the track may be at odds with the band’s usual blend of smash-your-teeth-in abrasion, but with it’s threatening and frustrated aura, it’s the peak Other Half experience; vital and impossible to ignore. – Dan Hillier
Giant Walker – Make Me
Church Road Records just don’t miss; latest signees Giant Walker meld anthemic rock and progressive sensibilities. ‘Make Me’ is their first new music since 2022’s debut, the band saying “the song is about witnessing someone that you care about making terrible decisions and the reality of your own helplessness knowing that nothing you say will influence their judgement as they can’t or won’t acknowledge that their own actions are perpetuating the problem. So, it becomes an endless cycle of delusion and bitterness.” From a marching snare that opens to serpentine riffs and shifting drum work, all capped by a powerhouse vocal performance, ‘Make Me’ shows they’ve grown and evolved from a promising band to one that have something very special indeed. – Will Marshall
Umbra Vitae – Belief is Obsolete
A death metal supergroup formed out of some of the hardcore scene’s most influential and legendary musicians, Umbra Vitae surprised many when they burst into being with their 2020 debut Shadow of Life. Featuring Converge legend Jacob Bannon and Sean Martin on drums among others, it’s apparent that the debut wasn’t just a one off experiment, as they’re back with a new album and the first single, ‘Life Is Obsolete’ is more of the frantic, hardcore infused death metal that tickled so many lizard brains the first time around. Add in a little bit of Bay Area thrash influence into things and you’ve got a fierce blast of nihilistic chaos that makes the upcoming full length Light of Death an intriguing and likely essential listen. – Chris Earl
Sumac – Yellow Dawn
Noisy, experimental sludge metal supergroup Sumac, comprised of members from Isis, Botch and Baptists, have never been afraid to push the boat out and dive deep into ferociously heavy, long winded compositions, their latest single ‘Yellow Dawn’ proudly continues this tradition. Clocking in at just under thirteen minutes of thunderous chugging and Aaron Turner’s guttural screams, ‘Yellow Dawn’ is not an undertaking for the faint of heart. Exploring tangential riffs and solos to their fullest, Sumac earn their extended runtime, keeping familiar threads alive throughout while traversing from doom metal to sludge via hardcore, drone and intense noise. Fans of any of the members’ other projects are in for a treat on this satisfyingly drawn-out single. – Tom Bruce
Into It, Over It – A Trip Around the Sub
Documenting the importance of spending valuable times with loved ones and how private quality times amongst friends can lead to better versions of oneself in everyday life, the new single from Chicago indie-emo stalwarts Into It, Over It is a sun-kissed slice of joy ideal for these Spring months. Containing all the introspection and dynamism that has come define the band’s sound, ‘A Trip Around The Sun’ is just one of those truly gilded tracks that will brighten one’s day regardless of your disposition. “It’s about recognizing a very real need to spend quality time with friends doing remote friend things. Letting loose. Bonding. Being a certain kind of yourself”, states Evan Thomas. “This all so you can go back to your daily life and be the most complete version of yourself. More specifically it’s about my friend’s bachelor party and an adventure in the mountains with my absolute fuckin’ dudes.” – Dan Hillier
Better Lovers – The Flowering
Bringing together members of some of the most important heavy bands of the twenty first century so far, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die and Fit For An Autopsy, chaotic metalcore supergroup Better Lovers shot out of the gate last year with their incredibly well received EP God Made Me An Animal. Now, with the promise of a full-length on the way, the five-piece have let loose their latest single ‘The Flowering’, a confident and brutal amalgamation of hardcore energy and over the top metal riffing. Frontman Greg Puciato is on top form here with non-stop screams flying in from every angle against a backdrop of tight yet riotous rhythms and dual shredding guitars. If Better Lovers can keep this level of energy up their upcoming debut album is sure to be one up remember. – Tom Bruce
Boston Manor – Sliding Doors
Sliding Doors is Boston Manor’s second single to be released in 2024 and creates a complete contrast of sound to ‘Container’. It takes notable inspiration sonically from Deftones’ typical breathy vocals and distorted syncopated riffs but they still achieve a fresh and exciting sound. Vocalist Henry Cox performs unclean/screaming vocals which is not usually the norm of Boston Manor’s ever-developing sound, however, it perfectly encapsulates the narrative of the song; the chaos that the world deals us and the impact of our reactions. This single keeps listeners on their toes as it is uncertain what we can expect for a full release possibly later this year as they are boldly experimenting with new sounds and ideas. – G Garland
Oh Hiroshima – Wild Iris
Now pared down to a duo sharing a brotherly connection, the new single from Oh Hiroshima see’s the Swedish post-rock outfit delivering something a bit more immediate and urgent all whilst retaining their penchant for awe and atmosphere. Addressing the double edged nature of perpetual maturity and how age gifts us both life-affirming joy via experience and increasing disenchantment, ‘Wild Iris’ entertains this dichotomy in a way that’s palatable and instantly recognisable. If this is anything to go by, Oh Hiroshima may be on track to delivering one of the best post-rock releases of the year with their upcoming record All Things Shining. – Dan Hillier
Contention – In the Land of Nod
Florida straight edge warriors Contention have built a name for themselves with uncompromising metallic hardcore, and the lead single from debut album Artillery From Heaven, ‘In the Land of Nod’ turns that fury up to 11. Vocalist Cosmo seethes and roars throughout, the breakdowns hit with bone-crushing force and the riffs are razor-sharp. Of the song, Cosmo explains, “this track is about watching friends and loved ones succumb to their addictions. If you’ve experienced this, you understand the feelings of betrayal and powerlessness I wrote about. Having my life turned upside down over and over by other people’s addictions has made me very wary of associating with addicts of any kind. If that sounds callous to you, then count yourself lucky you haven’t had the same experiences.” – Will Marshall
Candy – eXistenZ
Ain’t absolutely nothing sweet about this. Taken from their upcoming record It’s Inside You – released June 7th via Relapse Records – and dropping prior to them supporting The Dillinger Escape Plan, ‘eXistenZ’ is a breathless melee of punishment that manifests as a Cronenberg’d amalgamation of Vein.fm, Converge, Machine Girl and I Am King era Code Orange. It’s a bio-mechanical sugar rush or energy, one composed of mechanical punishment and very human rage, and a track set to ensure that Candy will be on equal footing with Dillinger come their shows together this summer. – Dan Hillier
Future Palace – Uncontrolled
German trio Future Palace have gone from strength to strength recently, supporting the likes of Electric Callboy and undertaking their own UK tour to runaway success. Their first new music in almost a year, ‘Uncontrolled’ builds on the heavier elements of previous single ‘Malphas’. Driven by propulsive riffs, pounding drums and vocals that turn on a dime from anthemic melody to emotional screams. Fusing a modern take on post-hardcore and metalcore, shot through with electronics, it certainly sounds like Future Palace are heading in heavier directions without sacrificing their love of earworm hooks. Vocalist Maria Lessing explains, “‘The loss of control in the title primarily relates to one’s own mental health and one’s own decision-making ability…. Uncontrolled’ represents what it feels like when everything falls apart and seems hopeless.” Hopefully it’s not another year for new music from them, but they’ll be touring the UK this December – don’t miss out. – Will Marshall
falselove – chemicals
South Welsh melodic hardcore band falselove have released their second single ‘chemicals’ this week, taken from their upcoming EP this time will haunt us and the follow up to their debut single ‘candlelight’. The single further cements what falselove have showcased to date, dishing out music that pulls from notable early post-hardcore influences such as Taking Back Sunday, Fightstar and Thrice whilst having put an enlivening and reenergised spin on it with modern production and impressive melody. ‘chemicals’ is a song about struggles with inner feelings of turmoil and battling with mental health. Musically, you can expect soaring vocal melody, intricate lead guitar, big hitting riffs and a stomping rhythm complimented by punchy drums. The climatic final minute of the song proceeds with a sharp impactful wall of sound that highlights the band’s proficiency. With ‘this time will haunt us’ a while in the making and what we have seen with the first two singles thus far, it would be safe to say that falselove are a band worth keeping your eye on. – Jac Holloway