“Under the gun and you’ve hit the wall.“
November ensured that 2025 didn’t go gently into that good night, dropping outstanding records from the likes of False Reality, So Far So Good, Pupil Slicer, and A Year In Black & White. It’s a month that made its mark on both ends of the spectrum, with The Devil Wears Prada and Caskets offering up records that remind us what lows the genre can fall to. As we begin to close the year, there were still plenty of records we want to continue to shout about, and here our some of our favourites from November.
Goodbye, Again – memento mori (Independent)
The screamo-come-hardcore that beats your emotions into a pulp has become an increasing staple of our rotation here. Whether it was the outings of Dreamwell that ripped our hearts to shreds or the rawness of mountain peaks that exposed the true frailty of human emotion. Goodbye, Again dig at both again, with a DIY sound that leaves each of its screams and janglely grooves to expose wounds.
FFO: Moral Bombing, Death Goals & February
Denial of Life – Witness The Power (Arson Theory)
While not wishing to give too much away, Denial of Life’s latest EP, Witness The Power, missed out on our end-of-year list by a fraction. A blast of metallic hardcore with a hint of thrash makes for a furious listen that will please the ears of old school metal fans, modern hardcore fans alike. Tight guitar work that opens the tracks up like Hatebreed and has the restless nature and wrath of a Bolt Thrower, Denial of Life have certainly flexed their prowess with Witness The Power, and this will hopefully be their biggest stepping stone to greater success.
FFO: Pest Control, False Reality & Cold Steel
Amanaki – Vices (North Supply Co.)
While there are plenty now with a Stray From The Path-shaped hole in their listening rotation and hearts, Amanaki fill that gap with their superb release in Vices. The barked vocals commanded the track through its narratives and messages, punching out at the modern world, packed with moments to chant and shout along to.
FFO: So Far So Good, Stick To Your Guns & BIND.
itoldyouiwouldeatyou – We Were Having Such a Nice Day (FULL FORCE THOUGHT)
If you catch itoldyouiwouldeatyou, you’ll know they don’t mince their words when they define their outlook as queer anarchists on a hostile island. On this new EP, their lyrics wield this force whilst feeling deeply human and multifaceted. The same care applies to their performances, each track taking the delicate route towards a busy yet democratic sound. Opener “50,000” is funny, compelling, and unapologetically British. “Wonderful Life Pt 1” is a ditty that will challenge their best-known back-catalogue bangers, “Get Terrified” and “Divine Violence“. As “That’s What” closes on an extended instrumental, it’s clear that they’ve shed much of their reliance on the Midwest emo sound. They dip into it as needed (especially on “Moscow Is Silent“), but now their writing feels more unexpected and as free as their dreams. This EP is their return to activity after a quiet season, and with another hour of music promised in the pipeline, it looks like they’re here to be the spearhead of DIY emo.
FFO: Chase Petra, Ogbert the Nerd & Mitsubishi Suicide
Ends In Tragedy – Beauty Of Death (Kingpin Melbourne Records)
They made their impactful entrance to the revival metalcore scene in February with Angel Wings In A Violent Sky. Now, finally, Ends In Tragedy return with their first full EP, Beauty Of Death. Its runtime may only be 15 minutes long, but it’s packed to the seams with gnarly, raw 2000s-style metalcore that is a much-needed breath of fresh air.
FFO: Long Goodbye, Killing Me Softly & withpaperwings
Give Up – The Possibility That Love Is Not Enough (Independent)
There is a joyous yet melancholic tone that comes out in a lot of indie punk, with songs that have you toe tapping and singing along to their sad and introspective tunes, which are pieced together with a hearty sensibility. Give Up, who return with their second swing on The Possibility That Love Is Not Enough, fully encompass each of those traits, to deliver up an indie punk gem that will have listeners singing from the rooftops.
FFO: Snake Eyes, Jetty Bones & Upsetter
Knives Chau Fan Club – promo 2025 (Independent)
For those looking for the more emo side of their screamo, look no further than the outstanding promo from Knives Chau Fan Club. Vocals that sound as if they will burst at the seams with the emotions packed within them, discordant riffs and drum grooves that sing through the ear, there is much here to latch onto and indulge in emotionally. It’s rough and full of artistry with each strum and yell, making for a cutting listen. It also shows that, from top to bottom and across its genre variations, screamo is in more than fine form.
FFO: Pianos Become The Teeth, Hands In The Air! & I’m Sorry Emil
Emancipation – When the Heavens Opened… Bodies Fell (Rage)
Following on from Torn Apart’s demo last month, Nottingham once again delivers up some mosh metal in the form of Enmancipation. When the Heavens Opened… Bodies Fell is filled with breakdowns that are for the moshers to swing and spin to kick and disgusting gutturals, it won’t be long before Emancpaction are packing rooms across the UK and leaving a few bloody noses and loose teeth with each set. With a growing scene in the likes of Mindhold, Torn Apart, Human Deceit, and Despondent, Nottingham is quietly growing a strong hardcore scene.
FFO: Irruption, Your Demise & Ironed Out
Godeater – ALVORECER (Independent)
The closing months of 2025 have offered up a surprise in the return of Scottish unit, Godeater. Initially impressive with their death-metal-come-deathcore record, Vespera, they had been quiet on the new material since then. Quickly dropping their latest EP after the reveal alongside single, “Leech”, Godeater and their magnificent riffs and epic clean chants make for a more than welcome return. Whirling riffs that will please the year of any death metal fan, with enchanting vocals on both fronts, give a rustic and wild edge to Godeater’s sound, as if one is about to rampage in battle through the woods of a forest. Our only hope on the back of ALVORECER is that Godeater don’t make us wait as long next time.
FFO: Asidhara, Iscariot & Angelmaker