2025 continues to be an exciting time for alternative and heavy music, with incredible releases from the likes of Kardashev, BRUIT ≤, Bleed and PUP. Here are nine more long format releases that we don’t want you to miss.
Record Setter – Invoke Evoke (Independent)
Record Setter return, intricate as ever in their new three-piece format. The single “peace in a memory” suggested they might be getting heavier and joining the ‘core revival, but the full EP tells a more complex story. “welcome” into “lost within” are glorious heartbleeding tappy screamo tracks, up to their noodly standard established on I Owe You Nothing. The middle stretch of the EP gets even heavier with “life in regret”. They’ve not forgotten how to close a record, with most of its runtime handed to “seven eyes” and “hereditary” which make for wild journeys in progressive post hardcore and emo. – Dobbin T
FFO: Boneflower, Ostraca & Touché Amoré
Crowd Of Chairs – Breather (Labelman)
Post punk can be relentlessly bleak, but on Breather, Crowd of Chairs show us its many faces. Although they work with angular and gritty sounds, especially in their vocals and guitars, this record absolutely abounds with positive energy. The all-important rhythm section is nailed into the grooves, looping with precision whilst the frontline lets loose. Bright sparks fly on “Overthinking”, “Mid Air Collision” and “The Watcher”, letting the light in as a springtime album release ought to. The oddball riffs on “Sudden Advice” and “Laughter” impart an eerie energy to balance the optimism. Closer “Giving In” plays us out with abundant positivity in its lyrics. Breather demonstrates that optimism drawn from unexpected places is all the more infectious. – Dobbin T
FFO: Coilguns, Chain of Flowers & The Jesus Lizard
LUMENS – LUMENS (Wild Thing Records)
Adelaide progressive metalcore newcomers LUMENS present their self-titled debut EP. LUMENS display an impressive amount of intricacy and range with these five tracks. Unprocessed-style riffing on the intro to “Primrose” takes an aggressive twist, precariously balancing melody and intensity. Their meticulous instrumentation is apparent all throughout the EP, from the angry, ominous “Hollow Heart” to the bouncy grooves of “Saviour of Peace”. The band’s influences shine clearly, but LUMENS are still able to put their own spin on an often oversaturated subgenre, making for a unique and refreshing take on progressive metalcore. – Jonathan Tan
FFO: Polaris, Unprocessed & NOVELISTS
Illyria – The Walk of Atonement (Independent)
Not even a year after dropping a full record, Illyria saw fit to release a twenty-three-minute suite last month. It’s unlikely that their fan base would be desperate for new music so soon – that makes it the spicy sort of release, demonstrating that Illyria is a passion project through and through, and that they are deserving of a cult following. The Walk of Atonement is a tour through prog, death and even some inclinations towards power metal. The tension of the first movement is answered by the whirlwind that is the second. Part three is an almost minimalist reprieve that harkens toward post rock and instrumental geniuses like Cloudkicker, and the final part couldn’t be more different, throwing us into unhallowed beatdown and more proggy madness for the ending. – Dobbin T
FFO: Ne Obliviscaris, Tómarúm & Krosis
Changeling – Changeling (Season of Mist)
Changeling, the moniker for fretless guitar virtuoso Tom Geldschläger’s enormous pet project, has continued to mesmerise us since its release towards the end of April. With its expansive array of experienced talent including the likes of Morean of Alkaloid, James Dorton of Ne Obliviscaris and even a 50-piece orchestra, it seems like Geldschläger called in all the favours he could to create the most ambitious and phenomenal tech death record in recent memory. Geldschläger’s signature technical prowess makes for extremely satisfying riffage and a profoundly memorable, genre-defying experience. A must-listen if you’re a prog or extreme metal fan. – Kieran White
FFO: Ne Obliviscaris, Obscura, Blood Incantation
Wretched Blessing – Psychic Barriers to Entry (Two Mongrels Recordings)
Just one year after their debut EP, Wretched Blessing are already back at it. Psychic Barriers to Entry is a near-continuous fourteen-minute piece offering a taste of everything extreme and hardcore. There’s astounding quality in everything they’re doing, from the slow grandeur of “Delusional” and “The Big Rip” to the speed of “Cerebral Scour” and “Decalcified”. There’s not a moment that won’t make you want to move, but the queen of them all has to be “Dilute It All” which is an absolutely groovy ditty. Their dual vocals will have you struggling to pick a favourite singer between Kayhan Vaziri on guitar and Rae Amitay on drums. Wretched Blessing are another demonstration of the power of the two piece in heavy music. – Dobbin T
FFO: Tuskar, Melancholia & Immortal Bird
Impale – Blood for Blood (Independent)
Impale offer up a hidden gem with their EP Blood For Blood. All the lashings of hardcore are present, as “Scream” and “Destruction” offer up nasty breakdowns that will please any spin kicker. Intertwined within all this are moments of thrash and metalcore revival; it all makes for one hell of a modern hardcore record. Each track offer an explosive moment from each genre, culminating in “Fragile“, which showcases Impale‘s pure rage.
FFO: Street Power, Crossface & xapothecaryx
Ash Twin Project – Tales Of A Dying Sun (Independent)
French post-prog metal band Ash Twin Project went from zero to fantastic with one debut, Tales Of A Dying Sun. It’s thoroughly dynamic, visiting all the facets and volumes you can find in prog music with a modern mindset. It’s so carefully written that after just a few listens, I could feel the pace of every song rolling ahead of me, anticipating the highs of every track. Furthermore, it’s even got strong production for a debut, opting for an uncrowded mix to let all the performances shine. I was admittedly drawn to this project as their band name is a nod to the stellar video game Outer Wilds (don’t spoiler yourself by looking into the name any further – play it, it’s absolutely fantastic), but now I couldn’t be happier that they embraced the name, as I’ve discovered one of the strongest prog releases of the year.-Dobbin T
FFO: Dreadnought, Jakob & Andrew Prahlow
Dynamite – Settle The Score (Independent)
“Settle The Score” sees Dynamite continuing exactly where they left off, putting on a masterclass in modern hardcore. Short but oh so sweet, “Settle The Score” is end to end energy, what more could you ask for really? A band that’s been putting the time in to play as many shows as possible, it’s great to finally have some more recorded material out from them. Enjoy riffy, fast-paced, shouty hardcore? You’d best learn the words, practice your two-step, and get to a show ASAP to experience these tracks the way they’re supposed to be heard. – Jack Walker
FFO: Combust, Jivebomb & Speedway