“Scratch so deeply, time won’t heal it.“
A slightly later than scheduled look back at the month of September, which bristled with releases from the likes of Lonesome, Soulekeeper, withpaperwings, Faetooth and many more. It is arguably one of the strongest month’s this year for releases from more local scenes, with the likes of I’m Sorry Emil, Æl-Fierlen , Shoplifting and Mountain Peaks impressing from a diverse UK scene, and then further reaches in Bulgaria with GUNPUSSY dropping one of 2025’s strongest slam releases.
Æl-Fierlen – All Is Far Away (Independent)
All Is Far Away sees English rising stars Æl-Fierlen do what few other black metal artists achieve, quietly forging a style which loses none of the genre’s introspection while not succumbing to the pervasive melancholy often associated with it. The quartet tap into themes of legends and intensely evocative personal experiences, wrapped in a gorgeously heady blend of dreamlike atmosphere, replete with soaring guitar lines and a keen ear for melody, to create one of 2025’s most simultaneously uplifting and uniquely contemplative records. Stephanie Moffatt’s lilting vocals, at times skewing towards the operatic without the melodrama often associated with the style, are a clear highlight, grounding the record firmly in emotional blackgaze even when composer Rob Melville’s guitars do their best to drag All Is Far Away towards more traditional black metal. A welcome excursion to haunting folk on the final track “Ællmiht” anchors the Anglo-Saxon titles and caps off the record with a stunning build. An excitingly fresh take on a tried and true style, Æl-Fierlen’s debut is surely one of the strongest this year. – Lukas M
FFO: Sylvaine, Summoning & Alcest
Human Barbeque – Primitive Cranial Feast (Independent)
Slamming brutal death metal will ensure meat remains on the menu for a long time to come, and Belgian SBDM outfit Human Barbeque are among the most consistent proponents of that notion. Seven projects in the span of a ten-year career is indicative of a tireless hunger to push yourself creatively, which feels wholly achieved on Primitive Cranial Feast. A chug brunch of grating vocals and guitars served with a plate of crisp drumming appetizers ensures the EP’s moniker is warranted. Human Barbeque only seem to evolve their sound with each release, and Primitive Cranial Feast is their most expansive selection of choice cuts to date. – Shane C
FFO: Maggot King, Kill Everything, & Decomposition of entrails
GUNPUSSY – BUSTER HOTLINE (INDEPENDENT)
The concept of Bulgarian beatdown could apply to either legacy KGB agents or GUNPUSSY. Thankfully, the latter is of interest in this case. BUSTER HOTLINE is mean, downtuned, and laced with rakiya potent enough to power a steamboat. You only get one shot at your debut, and GUNPUSSY have etched a soldering wound into our skulls with a five-piece swing for the fences with their first go at it. BUSTER HOTLINE’s integration of sludge is a bludgeoning bonus on top of an already ferociously unrelenting approach, making this the longest twelve minutes of your life. By the time it’s over, we’ll only be wishing GUNPUSSY had more ammo in the chamber. – Shane C
FFO: PRAW, FORGE, & SAWNOFF
George Gadd – Too Many Ghosts… (Independent)
George Gadd set the foundations of this project on the open mic circuit before bringing a band into the fold, meaning the music has strong singer-songwriter fundamentals beneath all of its 00s alt and emo influences. This is music about finding hope when you’re a fucked-up fuck up, set to a central “ghost” metaphor has followed Gadd since his early days. Amid the rock band bangers “Shake A Ghost” and “Not Human”, you’ll also find moments like “The Optimist” which pull back the volume, “Leo”’s powerful rise, or “Little Bird” which is some sort of post rock-meets-late era Dire Straits mashup. From being recorded at Sheffield’s JT Soar to the Trumpet Tom features, Too Many Ghosts… is a bona-fide UK emo record, and one for the international community to covet, too. – Dobbin T
FFO: Manchester Orchestra, Spanish Love Songs & Frank Turner
Beurre – Resonate and Amplify (Humus Records)
When we do minimalism in heavy music, it often arises as a locked-in groove with all other outputs on maximum. Beurre are a Swiss band that are the epitome of this idea, creating mountains of fuzz whilst they etch these cyclic riffs into your skull. “Superposition” is something of a lure, building to a bludgeoning yet angular riff. After a crash course to their sound on “Theory Of Matter”, the huge “S.kin” is the record’s Monte Rosa, switching up the melodies just enough to get your draw dropping further and further throughout its twelve-minute runtime. After these tracks establish the band’s intent, the LP’s second side is more intricate and dynamic, letting loose with effects and dissonance. We’ll single out Lightning Bolt as a key influence here, especially due to the vocal effects going on – if you like that band, do not sleep on Beurre – but the sound here is idiosyncratic in its own meditated way, making Resonate And Amplify the most memorable record of its kind this decade. – Dobbin T
FFO: Merkabah, Warren Schoenbright & Zu
Mountain Peaks – what could have been (i could have been more) (Independent)
The output by the screamo scene is something to behold and is one that going unnoticed by too many. Whether it’s the likes of Moreru in Japan, For Your Health in America or Blind Girls in Australia, there is a bustling scene that sees Mountain Peaks on their latest EP show that the UK is also shining with quality when it comes to screamo. The quality of these particular screams feel akin to what was on Pianos Become The Teeth’s record, The Lack Long After. what could have been (i could have been more) is packed with striking lyricism, with post-hardcore styled spoken word weaved into the core of the record. A truly fantastic EP, with hopefully much more on the horizon from this trio. – Joe E
FFO: Alinah, Stormo & letters tocatalonia
Shoplifting & I’m Sorry Emil – Split (Independent)
This split is a defining release for the new wave of emo that is festering in London’s most makeshift venues right now. Neither act shys away from extended track lengths, allowing progressive tendencies and dramatic highs throughout. I’m Sorry Emil have been on our radar for some time and their contributions here are imbued with forlorn hopelessness; a deep seated sadness you felt long ago and will find comfort in once again. Shoplifting are unique as ever, bringing eclecticism through tappy midwest emo guitars and IDM and breakcore adjacent drum work. – Dobbin T
FFO: Your Arms Are My Cocoon, My Rushmore & Sunny Day Real Estate
Rawzilk – Passion Disorder (Independent)
Discovering Rawzilk feels like unearthing a hidden CD or adrift drive, filled with mystic secrets and tales. An artist that has shown little of who they are or what their message is, much is left up to interpretation, including on their most recent EP titled Passion Disorder. It’s brimming with synth works that switch between something pulled out of a Solaris soundtrack, to being backed by beats that give it a more modern jungle feel. A robotic female voice tells the narratives woven into Passion Disorder: Hedonism, sex, and religion are narrated throughout to the beats Rawzilk, making for a fascinating listen. – Joe E
FFO: Oneothrix Point Never, Burial & Makeup And Vanity Set
Wolves – Self-Titled (Ripcord Records)
There’s so much talent in the UK post-heavy sub scene and Ripcord Records bring us yet another essential release. Wolves pull off a special trick here by pool their influences from beloved 00s and 10s bands across post-hardcore and metal scenes, an era. Robbie Tewelde’s production endearingly attaches it to this era, channeling Calculating Infinity and We Are the Romans. Filled with anger about the absolute state of Britain, the many heavy belters hit so much harder with such a charged message. To name just a few pivotal moments, the massive tracks “New Liver, Same Eagle” and “Emergency Equipment” have a progressive slant and melodic highs. When Mark Howes’ voice falters at the peak of the former track, it’s a tender and powerful moment (“you can break, but it won’t do you any good / you have earned what is coming to you”). For the band this release has been a long time coming, it’s all the sweeter as a result. A special shout out to Andy Price (bass & backing vocals) who’s also been busy with The Grey this year, killing it on all fronts. – Dobbin T
FFO: Bossk, Bear vs. Shark & Burst