Column Releases You May Have Missed
RELEASES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED: LPs & EPs, June 2026
While June saw many basking in the summer sun, it was still a standout month for releases. Whether it was the likes of Healing Wound, who blew us away with their record, Bodies of Heavenly Violence. Fires in the Distance dropping the grandiose Circadian Promise, showcasing the best of melodic death metal. Then a trio of releases in Exploring Birdsong, GILT and Truck Violence, all proved to be the finest of their respective genres, and closed out June in style. We now delve into other gems from June, that we didn’t get the chance to spotlight.
Temple Guard — Citadel in Flames
Eco Defence Records
Temple Guard have been biding their time for a big 2026, and their second LP Citadel In Flames is more than justification for the wait. Incorporating influences from death and black metal, and focusing on the fundamentals rather than gimmicks, this is furious metallic hardcore performed by masters of the craft. Across seven tracks plus an absolute upstart of an intro, it’s exclusively good riffs and savage deliveries, all begging for movement from crowds. The medieval theming grants an edge of wrought iron to their sound, playing out literally at times with clanging percussion on “A Vanguard Reforged”. Most importantly, this is a hardcore band that puts their ethics on the line: with samples tackling the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the band’s stringent vegan stance, there is righteous fury worthy of attention in and of itself. -Dobbin
FFO: Fuming Mouth, Armed for Apocalypse & Killing Pace
Switchblade serenade — As the light leaves her eyes
Independent
Another month, another killer band coming out of Australia. Running out of Brisbane are switchblade serenade, channelling the metalcore revival sound, with a hint of the Bloodborne variant and the atmosphere of early Atreyu’s works in the likes of “Her Portrait in Black”. There’s a metallic grandiosity as the riffs take the limelight, alongside cleans that soar through the record. Gang vocals and crunching breakdowns are added for good measure. Demonstrably, the scene over in Australia continues to blossom. – Joe
FFO: Killing Me Softly, Cauldron & Rakuyo
Million Moons — You Be Good, I Love You
Independent
This is modern post rock for those who love extended tracks that keep surprising you. On LP3, Million Moons revel in the patient yet powerful compositions that made their debut so compelling. At the same time, they infuse their sound with the grit and power learned on I May Be Some Time, and from Lewis Johns‘ guiding hand on the production. Besides being a fantastic listen throughout, there are choice moments which seem to confound on every pass. The spirited, mathy bursts of power with downtuned guitarwork come thick and fast on “Memories of a Past Life”. The close of each track comes with moments of awe, particularly “Last Days Together”, which carries immense sadness tying into the concept of pet loss. – Dobbin
FFO: early Russian Circles, Tides From Nebula & sleepmakeswaves
Mosin Nagant — As If We’re Blessed To Be Alive
Midley Grange Records
Mosin Nagant blend punk with noise rock and elements of screamo to create something that is utterly frantic on As If We’re Blessed To Be Alive. This EP is rustic and unsettling with its mannerisms and sheer noise, twisting and turning in a frenzy, as if sprinting through an endless maze and showing no signs of slowing. Boiling under the surface of each track, perhaps most pertinent on “Influencer Heat Death”, is a rage at the world and what it has become. – Joe
FFO: truck violence, Chat Pile & The Armed
Together to the Stars — Iridescence
Independent
Putting out their first record with new vocalist Rafael and produced within their own studio, Together to the Stars showcase some of their finest work on Iridescence. Across the six tracks, there is a tug of war between melody and violence, each pulling the tracks in different directions. Opener “Ichor” delivers up clean guitars and solemn riffs, layered with the tortured screams of Rafael. Later tracks sink deep into despondent tones and some are fast burners, packed with instability that shakes the album. The epic eleven-minute “Pale Asters” rewards those who listen through the track with its grandiose melodies. As it always seems to be with these Swedish bands, they’ve made one hell of a journey through the soundscapes they craft.– Joe
FFO: Alcest, Woods of Desolation& Sadness
Varination & ameokama — Varination & ameokama
Independent
July saw a fascinating project with the arrival of Varination & ameokama who released their debut self-titled record. Channelling noisecore that harkens the mind back to the likes of Arsonists Get All the Girls, it seemed as if this sound had been lost to the sands of time, but Varination & ameokama have revived it. Raw and blistering vocals from Aki McCullough almost stray into the black metal realm, and are blended with a sassier style akin to that found in the screamo genre from the likes of Told Not To Worry. Blunt, industrial inspired soundscapes ring through their sound, sitting in a similar vein to bygone acts or more recent ones such as Living Weapon. Each distorted and dissonant riff that fills the track, further drills their sound into the mind, ensuring that those who pass through this harrowing sound won’t soon forget it. – Joe
FFO: A Black Rose Burial, Calm and Secure & anvilchandelier
floodlit — MiDaSu
Independent
The debut album of post-hardcore newcomers floodlit paints a grim and sobering picture. Told from the lens of the victims of the Myanmar civil war, MiDaSu tells stories of heartbreak, betrayal, and the harsh realities of war through post-hardcore aggression. Through its raw emotion, its message is clear: no one wins in war. – Jonathan
FFO: Thrice, Being As An Ocean & As Cities Burn
Disastry — Heaven Should Be Here
Paper Wings Records
As the metalcore revival sound sweeps the genre, Disastry is an act that everybody should have in their library. It’s got chugging hardcore riffs with panic chords and pinches ensure that it has the heavier moments for the mosher. It holds these whilst blending in mathier and sassier twists on the likes of “Two Cents Found In A Bomb Shelter” and emo moments on the likes of “Heaven Should Be Here” and closer “Ice King Doesn’t Get A Happy Ending”. Disastry have put their own spin on the revival sound, making for an absolutely captivating listen that yearns to be returned to. – Joe
FFO: Rozemary, GILT & trust.
forevercamecrashing— Cursed to Forgive
burnout
Sheer brutality enfolds forevercamecrashing’s sound. Pitched chords and chugging riffs blend together to create an unsettling and heavy soundscape on Cursed to Forgive, and raspy screams command each track, dragging the ear down into the depths of the EP’s gnarly sound. Breakdowns on the likes of its titled track “Cursed to Forgive” have a bludgeoning impact from a double kick. The standout feature from Respect Through Fear stamps on the metalcore revival mark, with both vocalists delivering screams that are absolutely on point for the genre. – Joe
FFO: Long Goodbye, josh & Rekrucify
