“How will I know when it’s time to say goodbye?“
There’s been plenty to be stoked for this June. There’s been strong releases in the hardcore scene from Candy, Calcine, and Foreign Hands; post/gaze from Sumac, Pijn, and Outlander; rock and post hardcore from My Epic and The Dangerous Summer; and extreme metal from 200 Stab Wounds and Celestial Sanctuary. Here are nine more long-form releases for you to catch up on.
Gravitate – The Reckoning (Loudmouth Records)
Boasting some of the best artwork album this year has seen so far, Melbourne unit Gravitate also deliver one of the best EPs too. To put it briefly, The Reckoning is pure fighting music. From the moment “No Way Out” hits to “H8 SZN“, The Reckoning injects a rage that is infectious, switching between metallic guitar riffs and moments of dumb heaviness, drawing a perfect balance between the two. Cat Rosemary‘s vocals lead in the charge with their fury, and this EP is another gem showing what seems to be an absolutely thriving scene in Melbourne.
FFO: Eight Count, Trenchknife & Splinter
Red Vanilla – Days of Grey (Independent)
Blending ’90s inspiration with a modern metal sound, Dunedee alt-rock unit showcase their laid-back melodic side and their multifaceted songwriting. Packed with a dense, guitar-driven sound, and pop-hook vocals harkening to the yesteryears, Red Vanilla know just how to catch the ear. On songs such as “The Know How“, sincere vocals from Anna Forsyth it make for a captivating listen. Red Vanilla make their way has a mainstay of the alternative rock scene like many of their Scottish contempories have done.
FFO: Dead Pony, Krooked Tongue & Marmozets
Praise – Coming Up for Air (Revelation Records)
Showcasing their meticulous songwriting, Coming Up For Air is Praise‘s most collaborative and natural collection yet. Engineered by Matt Redenbo at the legendary Magpie Cage Studio in Baltimore, MD, the EP features bright, colourful guitar textures, hooky vocals, and a balance of calm and urgency. Guest vocals from Pale Green Stars’ Haley Butters add a lush dimension to the title track “Coming Up For Air”, and the closer “Chasing Colors” provides introspective reflections on life and its challenges.
FFO: Initiate, Destiny Bond & Stand Still
Tether – Mirror Work (Independent)
London post-hardcore unit Tether are known for their energetic sound, blending influences from Every Time I Die, letlive, and Alexisonfire to explore the darkest and brightest aspects of modern life. Formed in 2018, their music delivers messages of optimism and self-conviction with unrelenting energy. Their captivating live shows and powerful, raw sound have seen them share stages with bands like Hawthorne Heights and Loathe, marking them as a rising force in the post-hardcore scene.
FFO: House Of Protection, Better Lovers & Alexisonfire
Silent Mass – The Great Chaos (Mourning Sun Records)
On their full-length The Great Chaos, Silent Mass invite fans of post-punk, ethereal wave, shoegaze and ’90s alternative into a dark, lush sonic experience. It’s akin to a ‘heavier Enya‘, or a journey through the realms of The Cranberries and Chelsea Wolfe. Emerging from pre-pandemic Los Angeles, Ammo Bankoff‘s project features haunting vocals and primal percussive rhythms, with singles like “Rose + Crown” and “A Cold War City” drawing comparisons to Kate Bush and Cocteau Twins. The Great Chaos explores themes of self-alienation and distorted emotions, offering a collection of haunting vignettes.
FFO: Grayave, truama ray & Kraus
Lovers Guilt – Enveloped In Smoke (Independent)
Known for his work as vocalist in Fearing, Brain Vega has revived his solo project Lovers Guilt, which has delivered one of the best post-punk-come-new-wave records this year. It makes for a captivating listen as lush synths fill the tracks, complimented by the paced beats, and toned and reverbed vocals. As each element seemingly echoes around the EP, it will act as a beautiful soundtrack for the summer nights over the coming months.
FFO: Death Of Lovers, Ruin Of Romantics & The Black Queen
TombFlower – Ecocide (BB Records)
So acrid it’ll corrode your teeth, Tombflower bring a completely new meaning to ‘Berlin’ sound with their concoction of metallic hardcore. An absolutely caustic vocal performance is crusted up by borrowing the guitarist’s pedals, matched with buzz-saw guitars that cut through riff after riff. The grooves are familiar modern death-trash-hardcore sound, but with the attitude of crust punk. The floral aesthetic is not entirely a ruse, as “Skit” is a lovely little piano interlude.
FFO: Broken Vow, Calcine & Lifecrusher
Aphasia – The Sound of Suffering, Pt. 1 (Theoria Records)
Channelling emotion through the form of intricate, atmosphere-filled guitar work and a captivating vocal performance, Rochester’s Aphasia present The Sound of Suffering, Pt. 1. A raw and vulnerable expression of loss, its portrayal of grief is one that will surely strike a chord with many. Embodied in a tasteful execution of modern progressive metalcore, the second installment to this release is eagerly anticipated.
FFO: Invent Animate, ERRA & Currents
mothaltar – Union (Abundance Records)
With their new EP, Union, Texas progressive metalcode band mothaltar command a cinematic presence with their massive soundscapes. Employing an eclectic blend of metal genres, from progressive metal rhythms to interspersed moments of blackened death blasts, Union is a release crafted with purpose and is one to take in over multiple listens.
FFO: The Contortionist, Silent Planet & TesseracT