In the first of our 2023 Spotify playlist rollout, we outline our picks for the best UK metalcore acts currently active in the scene. Containing the heavyweights of the UK scene in Loathe and Malevolence, with upcoming acts Cage Fight and Godeater alongside them.
Our cover features:
Ithaca – One of the most exciting and vital voices in the UK heavy scene currently, the quartet offer up a metallic hardcore sound blended with melodic moments of healing. Their second album, They Fear Us, which released last year was one of the year’s most acclaimed records and positioned at #2 in our Top 25 Albums of 2022.
Graphic Nature – The rising British metallers, Graphic Nature, are known for their aggressive contemporary sound which is influenced by nu-metal and early 2000’s metalcore. Last year releasing EP, new skin, the unit began to breakthrough in the UK scene. Quickly following up with “Into The Dark” and “Bad Blood“, from upcoming album A Mind Waiting To Die, Graphic Nature marked themselves as one of the Bands To Watch In 2023.
Malevolence – The Sheffield five-piece rose to the top of the UK scene with record Malicious Intent, which dropped in May of 2022. This along with festival appearances across Europe and back in the UK including a surprise set at Outbreak, Malev have steamrolled in popularity which looks set to continue as they embark on a tour with titans Trivium.
Rolo Tomassi – The now veterans made their name across the UK with sublime records Grievances and Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It. With 2022’s Where Myth Becomes Memory, Rolo Tomassi cemented themselves as one of the finest acts with standout tracks “Cloaked“, “Closer” and “To Resist Forgetting“. Soon beginning a string of shows in the UK and Europe with Holy Fawn and Heriot this February, it is now truly one of the best times to be a Rolo Tomassi fan.
VEXED – 2021’s Culling Culture is arguably one of the most underappreciated records of that year, displaying unbridled rage on tracks “Hideous” and Fake” with heartfelt emotion on “Purity” and “Aurora“. In the following year VEXED took to the stage with the likes of Spiritbox and In Flames, as well as performing at UK festivals Tech-Fest and Burn It Down. With their sophomore recorded set to release this year, this is set to be year VEXED take over.
Loathe – The North West unit have spent the last several years releasing some of the finest music globally. With 2020’s I Let It In and It Took Everything still holding its position as the best release of the new decade, it will be a near impossible task for a future release to take that crown other than Loathe‘s own.
Keep and eye on BoolinTunes and our Spotify page for future playlist updates.